Winterocereus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Bolivia.

Description. Winterocereus is a fantastic plant with very long white, golden and soft hair-like spines. The flowers are large, 7 - 8 cm in diameter, bright red or salmon, very decorative, remain open for several days. The stems are long, densely pubescent, hanging, branching at the base, up to 2.5 meters long, cylindrical, light green, with a diameter of 2 to 7 cm. The spines are bristly, yellowish or white, hair-like, from 4 - 8 to 12 in length cm. The fruits are spherical, reddish, with a diameter of 8 - 12 mm. The seeds are black, oblong, slightly curved, and germinate easily.

Height. Up to 2.5 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, normal room temperature. In winter, temperatures range from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius with plenty of light. Withstands short-term frosts down to - 2°C if kept dry. Requires a cool dormant period for abundant flowering.

Lighting

Bright light with a little shade on the hottest summer days when sunburn can occur.

Care

A very unpretentious species, suitable for growing by beginners.

Substrate

Standard cactus mix with excellent drainage in the form of coarse sand or perlite.

Feeding

Apply fertilizers for cacti and succulents with a high potassium content monthly during the growing season.

Purpose

Ideal for hanging baskets. 

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

There are no special requirements, it easily tolerates fairly dry indoor air. 

Soil moisture

Water moderately during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry almost completely before watering again. Reduce watering in the fall as soon as temperatures begin to drop in October and keep dry during the winter. 

Transfer

Since winterocereus grows quickly, it needs a lot of space for roots. Mature specimens should be repotted into fresh soil every two years or when the cactus outgrows its pot.

Reproduction

Easily propagated by cuttings and seeds. Take cuttings in spring or summer, let the cutting area dry out and plant them in fresh soil.

Pests and diseases

Winterocereus is prone to rotting in case of stagnant moisture in the soil or abundant watering in the autumn-winter period. Harmful insects include mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects.