General explanations about the outlines and places of growth of cleistocactus, rules of care, how to propagate a cactus, pests and diseases, facts to note, types. Cleistocactus belongs to the vast and ancient Cactaceae family of the order Caryophyllales. These representatives of the green world are most widespread in western Argentina and Uruguay, and they can also be found in the foothills of the Andes, on the hills and rock formations of Bolivia and Peru. All of them are famous for stems with columnar or lodging outlines, covered with ribs. This genus includes up to 50 varieties of cacti and not all of them are suitable for growing in rooms.
This unusual specimen of the cactus family got its name due to the structure of its flowers, and the scientific term for its name consists of two Greek words - "cleisto" "cactos", which translates as "close" and "cactus", respectively.
Cleistocactus has a shrub form of growth, and its stems can be either columnar, horizontal, or creeping. Branching starts right from the base of the shoots. The length of the stems is also directly dependent on the variety. For example, the shoots of Bauman's cleistocactus do not exceed 30 cm in length, and if the plant is erect and tree-like, then their parameters will approach the mark of 3 m. The same with the diameter indicators. So, when Winter's cleistocactus is still young, its stems will not be larger than 1–2 cm in diameter. Others, having reached 2 m in height, can measure 8–9 cm in diameter. The shoots have ribs that are quite numerous, but do not differ in depth; on average, their number varies within 15–25 units. The number of areas is also multiple, their arrangement is very dense and there are spines of bristle-like outlines on them.
The length and color of such thorns also differs both from the type of plant and its age: if the cactus is young and does not differ in great height, then the length of the thorns starts from 5 mm; in adult specimens, it approaches 5 cm. The color of the thorns is also rich - white, red, brown, yellow and gray. The number of radial spines is within 7–30 units, they are straight, with a length of 0, 3–1, 5 cm, and those that grow in the center (usually 1–3 of them) are needle-shaped with a length of up to 5 cm. Areals are very densely, and multiple ribs are quite close together, therefore, in some Cleistocactus, the stem is almost completely hidden under them. Because of this, the Strauss variety, which is quite popular in culture, is called the "white candle". The growth rate of the above-described cacti is quite high and during the season of vegetation activity, on average, there is an increase of up to 3-5 cm.
When a plant becomes an adult (that is, its height is equal to 30–40 cm), then it is able to throw out a large number of buds, which bloom almost simultaneously. The flowering process occurs from mid-spring and continues throughout the summer. On the lateral surface of the stem, an outgrowth of a bright color (red or pinkish) is formed. Then, such a flower bud begins to elongate and soon begins to resemble a small sessile tube. In a flower, such a tubular corolla varies in length from 2 to 9 cm. In the upper part, the bud opens with scales, which then turn into lanceolate petals. The shape of the flowers resembles a broken bud, but it is good for pollination by hummingbirds.
However, at the same time, cleistocactus can also perfectly pollinate itself. After that, fruits ripen with rather large sizes. The shape of such formations is round or oblong, their color is bright. The surface of the fruitlets is covered with a bristly, shiny skin. They can remain on the stems for a long time as a spectacular decoration. Inside such a fruit, there is a white pulp, which has an aroma with multiple very small black seeds.
Requirements for growing cleistocactus, care
- Lighting. This representative of the cactus family is very fond of the bright sun, only in the very sun it is worth sheltering it from the scorching streams of ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, a pot of cleistocactus is placed on the windowsills of windows "looking" to the east, west and south. Only when the summer afternoon begins, you can close the glass with a light curtain or gauze curtain - this will diffuse the streams of light. Elsewhere, this light-loving cactus will stretch its stems towards the light source, and the shoots will take an ugly shape.
- Content temperature. A plant in natural nature is located in warm regions of the planet, therefore, in indoor conditions, heat indicators in the range of 25-28 degrees are preferable for it. But with the arrival of autumn, it is recommended to arrange a cool wintering for a cactus with tubular flowers, when the heat indicators are in the range of 10-15 degrees. However, the plant will not tolerate a drop in temperature to 5 units.
- Air humidity. When grown indoors, it is recommended to maintain moderate humidity levels, but it should be remembered that if the air becomes too dry, this can lead to pest damage to the cactus. If the column of the thermometer is growing, then it is recommended to carry out regular spraying of the stems with warm but soft water.
- Watering. It is best to focus on the state of the substrate in the pot when caring for Cleistocactus. Once it is completely dry, you can moisturize it. Since on hot summer days the soil will dry out much faster than at other times of the year, abundant and frequent watering will be required. With the arrival of autumn, a gradual decrease in moisture begins, especially if a representative of cactus is kept at low heat indicators. Otherwise, if the soil does not have time to dry out, then this will become an impetus for the development of putrefactive processes. Water for irrigation is used free of limestone impurities and room temperature.
- Fertilizers for cleistocactus it is necessary to make it, starting from the April days, it is at this time that the plant begins to activate all vegetative processes. Regular feeding once a week with the use of cactus fertilizers. In winter, the plant is not disturbed with fertilizers. It is recommended to add the drug to the water with each watering, so as not to get a chemical burn of the root system.
- Transplantation and selection of substrate. If the plant is still young, then changing the soil in the pot and the flowerpot itself is recommended annually, since the growth rate of Cleistocactus is decent. Adult specimens are transplanted only as the substrate is developed and the pot is tight. The time for transplanting, as with many samples of the green world, should be in the spring. The size of the new container should not be greatly increased, only 2–3 cm in diameter. A layer of drainage material is laid on the bottom. Often they use ready-made soil for growing cacti, the main thing is that the composition is with good air and water permeability, therefore it is recommended to mix sand into it. If you want to compose yourself, then for the soil they take river coarse-grained sand, sod and leafy soil, peat soil (in a ratio of 4: 2: 2: 1, respectively).
Recommendations for self-propagation of cleistocactus
To get a new cactus with closed tubular buds, seeds are sown, its "children" or cuttings are planted from the top of the stem.
Seed germination can be done all year round, just follow the recommendations on the package with seed material. The seeds should be placed on the surface of a slightly moistened peat-sandy substrate. Then the container with the crops is covered with plastic wrap or placed under glass, like many plants, it is worth germinating the seeds in greenhouse conditions, with high humidity and warmth. The place for the container with seeds should be light, but free from direct sunlight. The success of germination will be the daily airing of the crops and, if necessary, moistening the soil after it dries out from the spray bottle.
As soon as the seedlings hatch, the shelter is removed and the plant begins to accustom the plant to the conditions of the room. The substrate is now moistened only through the pan, using the "bottom irrigation". When young cleistocactus reach a height of 3-5 cm, it is necessary to dive them in separate pots with appropriate soil.
When propagating with the help of “children”, a stalk is broken off or cut off from the mother specimen with a sharpened and sterilized knife (its size is 10–20 cm). The cut sites should be sprinkled with activated charcoal or charcoal powder for disinfection, and dried for almost 7 days. Then the cuttings are planted in a pot in ordinary cactus soil (you can take moistened sand or a peat-sand mixture). It is better to lean them against the wall of the container or against a support so that the position is vertical. You should also wrap up "kids" with polyethylene or put under a glass cover. As soon as the plant takes root, then the support and shelter are removed.
How to deal with diseases and pests of cleistocactus?
If the rules for the care of cleistocactus are violated, it can be affected by harmful insects, among which are the felt, mealybug or spider mite. If, upon examination, the owner found pests or their waste products (cobweb or white wad-like pieces), then immediate treatment with an insecticidal preparation of the appropriate action will be required.
If you frequently fill the pot with the substrate, it will lead to the occurrence of root and stem rot, especially if the temperature in the room is low. It is almost impossible to save such a cleistocactus. There is a possibility of preserving this plant, only by cutting healthy stems, followed by rooting, and the mother specimen will have to be destroyed. However, at the initial pores, it is recommended to cut off the damaged areas, and treat the sections with a fungicidal preparation.
There are times when this representative of the cactus has lateral processes and after that the central stem begins to dry out and dies. If such changes began to appear, then the stem is cut off, and the place of the cut is carefully sprinkled with activated or charcoal crushed into powder.
You can also mention the following problems when growing Cleistocactus:
- if the lighting is poor, then this will lead to fading of the color of the thorns;
- when there was a waterlogging of the substrate in the winter months, and in the summer there was a complete drying of the earthen coma, then the cactus stops growing;
- at low temperatures and constant flooding of the soil, the top of the stem wrinkles, and spots appear on the trunk;
- when a cork spot forms on the stem, this is evidence of low air humidity in the hot season or damage by pests;
- if the level of illumination is insufficient or in winter the content of cleistocactus took place at elevated temperatures, then the stem will elongate and take on irregular outlines.
Facts to note about the houseplant cleistocactus
For the first time, cleistocactus were discovered near the Andes and were immediately described - this time fell on 1861. Described by a botanist from France Charles Antoine Lemer (1800-1871). He is the author of the naming of numerous taxa of botany and took part in the work on the taxonomy of wildlife. It is a pity, but a blooming specimen of cactus is likely to be seen only in a greenhouse, since it is extremely difficult to grow it to meter indicators during home cultivation.
Types of cleitocactus
- Ritter's Cleistocactus (Cleistocactus ritteri) possesses whitish spines on stems up to 40 cm high. When blooming, flowers are formed with yellow-green petals, which are placed between elongated white hairs. Due to its decorative appearance, it is very popular for indoor cultivation.
- Emerald cleistocactus (Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus) or Cleistocactus emerald-flowered. The name itself reflects the color of the flowers of this variety - petals of red or pink-red color with green edging, which do not open. The length of the corolla tube reaches 5 cm. Such buds appear when the stems reach at least 25–30 cm in height. The color of the stem is dark emerald, with strong branching at the base. When the specimen is already old enough, the length of the stem reaches 3 m with a diameter of 3 cm. Each stem carries 12-14 ribs, on which areals are very densely located. In the ranges, there are up to 10–30 very strong needle-like thorns. The needle, located in the center, reaches 5 cm, the dimensions of the radial are no more than 1 cm.
- Strauss' Cleistocactus (Cleistocactus strausii) grows in Bolivia (Tarija). It has a stem with a light grayish-green color, it grows in the form of a column, begins to bush from the very base. Reaches half a meter in height with a diameter of 4–7 cm, although under natural conditions the length of the stems is 3 m with a diameter of 15 cm. Small ribs are up to 20–25 units, densely packed with areoles, the distance between which is only 5 mm. Areoles bear up to 30–40 radial spines, thin, silvery-white. They are corymbose, relatively soft, can reach 1.5–2 cm in length. The central ones are 4 cm long. Therefore, the plant is very popular with flower growers. Since the stems are covered with wool pillars. The resulting flowers with a red shade of petals, the closed tube can reach a length of 6–9 cm with a diameter of up to 1–1.5 cm. After flowering, fruits of a spherical shape, red in color, ripen, they have a sharp tip and a surface covered with woolly hairs. The flowering process occurs at the end of summer and lasts about a month and the buds are formed when the height of the plant is 45 cm.
- Winter's Cleistocactus (Cleistocactus winteri) differs in elongated thin hanging stems, which are covered with thin shield-like spines of a golden yellow hue. The length of the shoots can approach 1 m, with a diameter of 2.5 cm. The corolla of the flower has a good wide opening, the petals are pinkish on the outside, and those that are inside have an orange-red color. Also, inside the corolla itself there are small-sized whitish petals, which fit tightly to the filaments of the stamens. Tube length 6 cm.
- Cleistocactus tupizensis (Cleistocactus tupizensis) most common in Bolivia and can tolerate lower heat levels than other varieties. The stems of this plant grow strictly in a vertical plane, their surface is covered with thorns, the color of which varies from pale red to fiery reddish. The flowers are distinguished by red petals and curved outlines.
- Cleistocactus Vilpis Cauda (Cleistocactus vulpis-cauda) also referred to as "Fox Tail". The stems can take vertical forms or creep near the soil, with large bends, growing up to 2 m. The flowers of the plant have petals at the base, shaded with a dark red color, and rising to the tube (its length is 5 cm with a diameter of about 1 cm) they become lighter and lighter acquiring a light pink tone.
