Where is the birthplace of cacti, and how they can grow there

For inhabitants of African and Asian deserts, large cacti are not outlandish. Inhabitants of temperate latitudes, who have never seen sand dunes, it is difficult to imagine this plant under the windows of its own house. Europeans are accustomed to admiring cacti in greenhouses or in pots on tables, on window sills or loggias. Despite the apparent similarity, the variety of plants mentioned is simply amazing. At the same time, many of them bloom very beautifully.

Those who breed on their own window sills Echinopsis and mamillary, the birthplace of cacti is not very interesting. Fans of prickly pets "pets" simply grow them, enjoying the beauty and endurance of the mentioned specimens and marveling at their unpretentiousness. After all, even if the pot with the plant is forgotten under the scorching sun, not to water for several weeks or even months, it will not perish. Moreover, after severe tests, the cactus can begin to actively grow and even bloom.

What does the birthplace of cacti look like?

If we assume that it is in Africa, then the picture is rather sad. In the desert area, you can see both very large and relatively small specimens that are struggling to fight extreme conditions of existence. In the process of evolution, this species not bad adapted to heat and constant shortage of moisture. Leaves turned into needles to minimize exposure to sunlight, the stem became powerful and fleshy in order to retain the maximum amount of water and other vital elements. All cacti differ quite a powerful root system, able to wade to a possible source of water through thick layers of soil. At the same time, most of their life passes exactly under conditions of complete drought and heat. Sometimes there are still sharp changes in temperature, but this can not break life-loving plants. But when it rains in the desert (which is very rare), the birthplace of cacti turns into a blossoming paradise.

At that moment, everything literally comes to life: plants, insects, reptiles and other animals. For many representatives of the flora this is the only chance of reproduction, and they do not miss it.

On the American continent, the climate is less severe, but deserts are also encountered. This homeland of cacti is more favorable to its inhabitants, in connection with which there are truly unique specimens. We are talking, first, about extremely large plants that do not occur, say, in the same Africa. Secondly, America is rich in agave, grown on an industrial scale and used to produce ropes, ropes, as well as tequila and other alcoholic beverages. The economy of some states (for example, Mexico) directly depends on this cactus. Thirdly, here you can find plants that, according to external signs, do not belong to this species, but still belong to the family of agave (yucca).

All these varieties are often used for decorative purposes. They feel great in the south of Europe (and even in its central part). However, in case of frosts, they should be covered with a film or placed in a greenhouse for winter. On the sites of many gardeners, you can now see both yucca and other types of agave. At the same time, most of them do not even suspect how far the native land of the cactus grows on the windowsill or in the garden.