Cereus cacti are a group of more than 30 plant species in the Cactaceae family . They have a singular ability to hold out in dry environments . These cacti have tall , columnlike stems cover in incisive rachis and noticeable ridges . They also produce large flowers . Some popular case of Cereus cacti let in Cereus peruvianus , Cereus spiralis , and Cereus hexagonus .
Originally from South America , Cereus cacti are ordinarily grown as indoor plants . One interesting fact about these cacti is that their flowers only bloom at night .
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Cereus Cactus Types
There are a total of about 33 different types of these cacti , but they are not urge for home use . Among the well - adapted Cereus species with low charge requirement are :
Cereus aethiops
Cereus aethiops is a shrubby cactus that farm good , with columniform theme . It can sometimes diffuse out on the dry land and branches a lot from the floor . It can grow up to 6 feet improbable and 5 feet wide . The young stems have a blue waxy coating and unparalleled black vertebral column . It is one of the few Cereus sort that can flower when small , producing fragrant white to pale pinkish flowers that are about 8 inches long .
Cereus dybowskii
Cereus dybowskii , also known as Espostoopsis dybowskii , is in the beginning from Brazil . It is a behind - raise plant with okay spines and white haircloth . It is also called Cephalocereus dybowskii , Austrocephalocereus dybowskii , and Coleocephalocereus dybowskii .
Cereus flagelliformis
The creeping cereus , also known as Cereus flagelliformis , is primarily found in role of South America and the West Indies . This cactus tends to grow in a downward steering and finally creeps along the soil . Each stem has lowly rib with spines growing from them . The flowers are pink and usually bloom in June .
Cereus forbesii
Cereus forbesii is a thickly branched shrubby or arboreous cactus with blue - unripened cylindric theme covered in long back . It can get hold of a height of about 6.5 metrical foot ( sometimes taller ) with a distinct trunk up to 16 inch in diam . In give to early summer , it produces big white or pinkish white funnel - shaped flowers with carmine outside .
Cereus forbesii cv. Spiralis (Spiral Cereus)
The volute cereus ( Cereus forbesii cv . Spiralis ) is a shrubby or treelike coinage that is take a mutated form of Cereus forbesii . It unremarkably does n’t have a trunk and rather forms numerous tall , upward - growing columnar stem that arm out at the base . The stems have a waxy coat and can attain a height of 6.5 - 13 foot ( but can grow even taller ) with a diameter of 4 - 5 inches .
It has 5 - 9 wide space ribs and produce large purple fruits when cross-pollinate . It can not regurgitate on its own .
Cereus hankeanus
Cereus hankeanus is in the main found in Bolivia and other part of South America . It is also known as Piptanthocereus hankeanus . This cactus resemble a tree and has columnar blue - green ramification with several spikelet . It can produce up to 12 foot tall and peak in pinkish , white , and brownish colors during summertime .
Cereus hexagonus (Lady of the Night Cactus)
Cereus hexagonus is a Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - like cactus that grows like a candelabrum . It has a short , buddy-buddy trunk from which cylindric shoots emerge and go up straight up to 50 foot high . The stems have a flute appearance and are almost touching each other . It has 5 - 9 widely space ribs .
Cereus jamacaru
The columnar cactus Cereus jamacaru unremarkably has a exclusive base at the basis and a bluish - green color . When acquire indoors , it seldom branches . It has 6 - 10 pronounced ribs with deep , narrow section . The areoles , which sit around on the ribs , have 7 - 8 yellow - chocolate-brown irritant that are 0.8 - 0.9 inch long . The efflorescence , which can grow up to 12 inches long , develop rarely and only on old and tumid plants .
Cereus kroenleinii
Cereus kroenleinii is a shrubby cactus with slender and flexible branches that stand up tumid among other vegetation . It can also creep and form tangled clump up to 6.5 infantry improbable and 20 feet wide .
Cereus lanosus
Cereus lanosus is a shrubby , much - forficate cactus that grows up to 4.9 feet marvellous . It is not commonly seen in polish but is easy to grow , propagate , and produces legion gaudy snowy flowers .
Cereus nudiflorus
Cereus nudiflorus , also known as Dendrocereus nudiflorus , is also forebode aguacate cimarrón . It is native to Cuba and is considered the tallest cactus tree in the body politic , growing up to 42.6 feet tall in coastal areas .
Cereus peruvianus (Hedge Cactus)
The Cereus peruvianus , also known as Peruvian Apple Cactus or Hedge Cactus , is very standardised to the assortment ‘ jamacaru ’ . It has 5 - 8 rib and 7 - 8 chocolate-brown thorn on its areoles . Its blossom are up to 6 inches foresighted , blanched inside , and red on the outside .
Cereus peruvianus ‘Monstrosus’
The variety ‘ Monstrosus , ’ also known as Monstrose Apple Cactus , is popular among cactus collector . Unlike other specie , it has several peak where growth occurs , producing flower , side shoots , and even give . This result in a gnarled , irregular physique . It is sore to unfavorable growing condition .
Cereus spegazzinii (Moonlight Cactus)
Cereus spegazzinii , also know as Monvillea spegazzinii , is a lithe shrubby cactus that is similar in mannikin and home ground to the night - blooming cereus . It grow many basal shoots , quickly forming a clump .
Cereus stenogonus (Narrow-angled Cereus)
Cereus stenogonus is a tall , tree - same columnlike cactus with erect stems reaching 20 - 26 feet ( 6 - 8 meters ) gamey . It can have many ramification or be nearly simple . It is by nature found in Argentina , Paraguay , and Uruguay . Its spines are short , conical , and yellow with sinister top , or completely black , ranging from 0.2 - 0.3 inch long .
Cereus versicolor
Cereus versicolor , also known asHaageocereus versicolor , is native to multiple regions in Peru . It grows as a cylindric central stem that branches out into smaller stems . The stems are light green with several ribs and sharp spines , exhibit colors of gold , white , and xanthous .
Cereus Cactus Care
To ensure that your Cereus cactus boom and blooms beautifully , there are a few important care tips to keep in mind . It ’s relatively easy to turn these cacti , but they do require some specific attending .
Dormancy
During the wintertime dormant period , Cereus cacti require very piffling tearing . It ’s important to ensure that the cactus substratum does n’t dry out whole during this time .
Temperature
In winter , it ’s ideal to keep Cereus cacti in a coolheaded spot with temperatures around 50 ° fluorine ( 10 ° C ) . These cacti can bear temperatures as broken as 32 ° F ( 0 ° coke ) .
Soil / Substrate
For cultivate these cacti , you may use a soil mixed bag take compost or peat . To improve drain , add one part of sharp moxie to two parts of the dirt intermixture .
Fertilization / Nutrient needs
Only during the principal growing period is the cactus given a normal flower or cactus fertilizer . The concentration of the plant food should not be too high .
Propagation and Growth
Cereus cacti grow rapidly and can achieve height of up to 50 feet ( 15 measure ) under optimal condition . They can be propagated either by seeds or by stem cuttings . When using cutting , constitute them in a mixture of 50 % peat and 50 % Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin , ensuring the chemical compound remains slimly moist , at a suitable temperature , and find enough light .
Repotting
Due to their fast growth , Cereus cacti should be repotted into slimly larger jackpot about once a year . In early fountain , carefully remove the cactus from its current pot and see if the roots are well give . If so , place the cactus in a larger tummy with fresh soil , take fear not to damage or break the tooth root .
Pests
During winter , the hot , dry air can attract mites . count out for gossamer in the leaf axils and on leaf edges , as these are signs of mite infestation . Additionally , mealybugs may appear on Cereus cacti , creating a visible white , cotton - like mass .
Frequently Asked Questions
Is cereus cactus poisonous?
Since the Cereus cactus flourish as succulent , the industrial plant have created expectant supply of weewee in their stems . Thus it is mainly cell water that flows out of the wounds after being cut . It does not arrest any toxic substances .
However , you should not take a skin accidental injury from thesharp thornslightly . As with any other harm , there is an increased risk of exposure of contagion even with the smallest injury . You should therefore also carefully clean small start and disinfect them with iodine ointment . As a preventive step , we advocate that you always come near the well - fortify plant life withthorn - proof gloveswhen doing all planting and care study .
How often should I water my Cereus cactus?
During the acquire season , water the Cereus cactus moderately — the soil must always dry slightly between lachrymation .
During the relaxation period of time in wintertime , piss very lilliputian and only ensure that the substrate of the cactus does not dry out altogether .
