To build a cactus farm in Minecraft, you typically create a structure where growing cactus blocks are broken automatically and collected by a water flow. Based on the provided reference, a simple design involves placing water in the corners to create a flow and building walls.
Essential Components
Before you start building, gather the necessary materials:
- Cactus: At least one cactus block to start.
- Sand: Cactus can only be placed on sand blocks. You'll need one sand block per cactus plant.
- Blocks: Any solid block to build the structure and "walls."
- Water Buckets: At least one, but more are needed for the water flow system described in the reference.
- Hoppers: To collect the dropped cactus items.
- Chests: To store the collected cactus.
- Fences or Walls: Blocks placed next to the cactus at head height to break it when it grows.
Basic Building Steps
While specific designs vary, a common efficient method involves layers. Here's how to incorporate the reference's details:
- Base Layer: Create a base platform. This is where your collection system (hoppers leading to chests) will be located.
- Water Channel: Above the base, create a channel for water to flow towards a collection point (like a hopper).
- Water System: As noted in the reference, an "insanely simple" water system involves going to "each corner and place down a bucket of water." This method is used to create a water flow across a level platform that pushes dropped items towards the center or a specific point.
- Planting Layer: Place sand blocks where you intend to plant the cactus, typically one block above the water channel or collection point. Leave space around the sand blocks.
- Cactus Placement: Plant one cactus on each sand block.
- Breaking Mechanism: Place a block (like a fence post or a solid block) one block diagonal or adjacent to where the cactus will grow one block above the sand level. When the cactus grows, the new segment will hit this block and break off.
- Walls: "You're just going to want to build a wall," as the reference states. Walls are crucial for containing the water flow and guiding the dropped cactus items into the collection system. Build walls around the farm structure.
- Expansion (Optional): You can stack multiple layers of this design to increase efficiency.
How it Works
- Cactus grows in segments on the sand blocks.
- When a segment grows next to the placed block (fence or solid block), it instantly breaks off.
- The broken cactus item falls into the water channel.
- The water flow, created by placing water sources (like in the corners), pushes the items towards the collection point (hopper).
- Hoppers collect the items and transfer them into chests for storage.
Building a cactus farm is a simple way to generate a renewable resource for green dye or trading with villagers.
