Cactis or everyone calls "prickly pear," originate from hot, sandy areas. There are more than 3,000 species of cacti, not including newly discovered ones. There is no clear record of when cacti became associated with humans, but there is evidence of cacti that was recorded by Aztecs in 1325 in Mexico. Cacti were used as a symbol of racial unity. Cacti were first discovered by Christopher Columbus at the end of the 15th century while he was traveling to the West Indies. He found cacti of the Opuntia and Melocactus species for the first time, and he brought them back to Europe, where they began to spread and many new species were discovered. Now that we know about cacti, let's get back to our topic. Because cacti originate from hot, sandy areas, they can be easily raised in Thailand, which also has a hot climate. Additionally, cacti can be raised more beautifully in Thailand than in many other places in the world because there is no snow, and the climate is not extremely cold. However, raising cacti that prefer cooler temperatures may not be suitable in Thailand because although the temperature may be hot during the day, it can be quite cold at night. An expert once said, "Any place that has a temperature difference of 10 degrees between daytime and nighttime can grow beautiful plants." The main factors in growing cacti are sunlight, temperature, planting equipment, water, and fertilizer, as well as the greenhouse. Cacti use sunlight to cook food and nourish their stems for survival and growth, just like other plant species. Cacti originated in hot and arid regions, so they need to receive sunlight for extended periods to grow strong and develop the correct shape for their species. Cacti prefer hot and arid climates, so they can be grown well throughout the year in Thailand, which has a very hot climate. Soil, which is the source of food for the growth of the pumpkin itself. The important components that we will mix into the soil include the soil material that helps increase the soil porosity, such as perlite, vermiculite, etc., and various chemicals such as slow-release fertilizers, granular insecticides, etc. These three important components should be chosen to match the environment and convenience of purchase. After the soil is mixed, it should be watered thoroughly and then left in the sun for about 1-2 weeks. This will give us soil that is clean and free from the heat generated by the decomposition of organic matter in the soil. Watering should be done in the morning or evening, and not during the time when the pot or growing machine is too hot, as it can cause the cacti to die. The duration of watering should be checked after the first day of watering to see how many days the soil will dry out before watering again. We need to let the soil have a dry period. Fertilizer: We can use a slow-release fertilizer for the cacti, but we should use it in a lower amount than what is stated on the label. We should not be too hasty in adding too much fertilizer, as it may cause the pumpkin to explode. Greenhouse: The pumpkin can naturally thrive in an open area with full sunlight. However, the appearance of cacti that are grown in open areas may have rough skin due to the intense sunlight. It is better to have some shade, except for breeds with fur or thorns covering the surface." the ideal greenhouse conditions for growing cacti. It should be grown in a greenhouse that is suitable for it, has the correct characteristics for the appropriate breed, is attractive in color throughout the year, is not afraid of the sun in the hot season, and does not rot in the rainy season. Additionally, it should be able to protect against dangerous insects and animals. Most greenhouse designs in Thailand use transparent plastic with UV protection on the roof, which may still be too transparent in the beginning. Therefore, a 50% shading net should be used until the plastic becomes opaque enough. This net is suitable for small greenhouses with low investment costs, but there is another design that is more durable but requires more investment, which is the greenhouse covered with clear glass fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) roofing. However, the FRP roof has an operational life of approximately 3-5 years, as the tiles will begin to turn yellow and opaque, resulting in reduced sunlight. Nevertheless, there are many types of clear tiles available, such as polycarbonate and acrylic, with different lifetimes and prices.
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