How to Grow a Baseball Plant - Step by Step Instructions 

Hello and welcome to Brainy Gardener! In this video, I'm going to show you how to grow a baseball plant from scratch. This is a really easy process and doesn't require too much maintenance. You'll be able to watch your plant grow before your eyes and have a beautiful addition to your home or garden.
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How to Grow a Baseball Plant - Step by Step Instructions
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Video Timestamps
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0:00 - Introduction
1:00 - Light and Location
1:30 - Watering
1:43 - Temperature
2:02 - Humidity
2:13 - Fertilization
2:28 - Propagation
3:15 - Potting and Repotting
3:53 - Toxicity and Common Pests
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Summary
The Baseball plant is a succulent perennial that can reach up to 3 feet in height. It has a thick, singular stem instead of leaves or trunks. The stem is perfectly spherical in young plants, a carbon copy of a baseball. The plant becomes more cylindrical with age, but it retains the ribs on the stem that resemble stitching on a baseball. It is also called Sea Urchin Plant and Gingham Golf Ball.
1. Light and Location
The Baseball plant thrives in a sunny location with some protection from the hottest midday sun. It will tolerate some shade, but it may stunt growth. Therefore, place the plant in an area where it gets at least a few hours of sun a day. Any less than that results in a leggy plant with paler than normal colors.
2. Watering
The Baseball plant is succulent and does not need much water to survive. Too much water can be detrimental and cause the roots to rot. Wait until the topsoil has dried out completely before watering again. During the winter months, reduce watering even further.
3. Temperature
The ideal temperature range for the Baseball plant is between 60 to 75 Degrees Fahrenheit. These plants can tolerate higher temperatures, but it may result in stunted growth. The plant is frost-tolerant to below 30 Degrees Fahrenheit, but don’t let it stay at temperatures that low for an extended period.
4. Humidity
Humidity is not a concern for the Baseball plant. It can tolerate average room conditions but prefers dry air as much as possible. Treat it like a regular cactus.
5. Fertilization
This cactus does not need much fertilizer to grow well. Too much fertilizer can do a lot of harm. If you decide to fertilize this plant, use a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer and apply it sparingly. It’s best to fertilize when the plant is actively growing in the summer.
6. Propagation
Baseball plants are difficult to reproduce from seeds because seed production requires cross-pollination between male and female plants. This process is only viable for nurseries and other large-scale productions. These plants, which have a single stem structure rather than numerous branches, are typically propagated by decapitating the plant at the soil level first. Each new offset can be gently cut away and replanted in coarse cactus or succulent planting mix. Treat them as you would a fully grown plant after they’ve formed roots.
7. Potting and Repotting
When potting, choose a fast-draining potting mix. A safe choice would be a standard cactus or succulent mix. Make sure it’s coarse and fast-draining. Drainage holes are essential to allow the water to spill out after every watering session. Root rot is one of the only ways to harm the plant in cultivation. The Baseball plant is slow-growing and doesn’t need to be repotted often. It’s best to leave the plant in its pot for as long as possible as it doesn’t like being disturbed. Once you see the roots spilling out of the pot, only then is it time for a fresh container.
8. Toxicity and Common Pests
This plant is considered mildly toxic. Keep away from children and pets. All plant parts contain a white sap that can irritate the skin on contact. These plants are relatively pest-free but may be susceptible to mealybugs. Check the plant weekly for any signs of pests and treat with an approved insecticide if necessary. Horticultural oil is also known to work.
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