Chamaecereus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Argentina. 

Description. Chamaecereus is a rather variable species, often low cacti with abundantly branching, low, vertically growing, green stems. There are variations with creeping shoots or varieties with yellow coloring. With age, they form large colonies. The ribs are low and vertical. The spines are straight, short, light, located close to each other. The flowers are funnel-shaped, large - 5 - 7 cm in diameter, appear at the top of the stems, colored in various shades of red and pink, sometimes there are specimens with yellow and white flowers.

Height. Depending on the type, the length of the shoots can range from 10 cm to 30 cm. It grows quite quickly.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, keep at a temperature of 18 - 25 °C. For abundant flowering in the winter months, plants are placed in a cool dormant period, which should take place at a temperature of 8 - 10 °C.

Lighting

Cacti are light-loving and will enjoy direct sunlight in the morning and evening hours, on hot summer days a little shading is necessary. In autumn and winter it is worth providing the most illuminated place.

Care

Chamaecereus is hardy and forgives some mistakes of novice gardeners.

Substrate

A ready-made mixture for cacti with a high content of drainage material is suitable - up to 40 percent of the total volume.

Feeding

During the period of active growth, feed with water-soluble fertilizers for cacti and succulent plants at half strength, monthly. During the dormant period, fertilizing is not carried out. 

Purpose

Low-growing, indoor-flowering plants for well-lit areas. Chamaecereus in lodging stems look great in a hanging basket.

Flowering time

Late spring – early summer. 

Air humidity

Does not require spraying. In autumn and winter, the flower should be kept in a dry room and provided with sufficient air circulation without cold drafts.

Soil moisture

Water abundantly, completely soaking the soil with moisture, dry the top layer of the substrate to a depth of 2 - 3 cm before each subsequent watering. During the fall, the frequency of watering is gradually reduced and during the winter months the plants should be in almost dry soil. Slightly shriveled stems will indicate the need for watering at this time. 

Transfer

Since this cactus has a shallow root system, you can choose wide pots for planting. Transplantation is carried out in the spring, annually. Transplanted specimens are watered with caution.

Reproduction

Stem cuttings of chamaecereus easily take root even for novice cactus growers, in spring and summer in wet sand. The place where the cuttings are cut is dried for several days before planting. Seeds. 

Pests and diseases

Like most cacti, it easily rots when there is excess moisture, especially during the dormant period. When grown in partial shade, the plants stretch out and become unsightly.

Red spider mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.

Note

Young shoots can easily break off from the main plant when transplanted.