Marginatocereus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Central Mexico.

Description. Marginatocereus is a very slender, vertically growing cactus with tall, dark green, often unbranched, stems up to 20 cm in diameter. Some species have a waxy bluish-gray coating. There are 5-7 ribs, they are very clearly defined and deep. A small cephalium, pubescent with white bristles, forms at the top of the stem. The spines are small, compared to the cactus itself - up to 1 cm long, light, straight. Funnel-shaped flowers can appear on the ribs at any height of the trunk, pink, white or red. There is a very spectacular cristate form.

Height. In the wild, it reaches a height of 15 m, in indoor culture, young specimens are kept, not so impressive in size.

Home care

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, a room temperature of about 20° C is appropriate. In winter, the cactus should be in a cool place with a temperature of 12 - 24° C. It tolerates a short-term drop in temperature to -4° C if it is in dry soil.

Lighting

Maximum possible lighting; shading during the daytime is possible in spring and summer. In the morning and evening, direct rays of the sun should hit the plant for 3 - 4 hours daily - this will promote flowering.

Care

As a rule, it is easy to grow at home and does not cause any problems to the owner. Suitable for beginners. In the winter months, it is necessary to forcibly transfer it into a dormant state, since if the marginatocereus continues to develop in conditions of insufficient lighting, its stem will become deformed.

Substrate

The soil should easily pass water and air, pH not higher than 6.5. A mixture of leaf humus, turf soil with a large amount of coarse river sand or perlite to improve drainage and small pieces of charcoal is suitable. You can use a ready-made substrate for cacti and succulents.

Feeding

Feed monthly from spring to fall with a high-potassium liquid cactus and succulent fertilizer.  

Purpose

A very attractive collectible cactus.

Flowering time

In spring and summer. 

Air humidity

At any time of the year, the air should be dry; marginatocereus does not need spraying.

Soil moisture

Water regularly during the warm season; allow the soil to dry to ½ depth before each subsequent watering. In winter, simply do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Transfer

Every 2 - 3 years, plants need spring replanting to change the substrate. It is advisable to grow in clay pots with large drainage holes, the walls of which allow the root system to breathe and allow moisture to pass through.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds sown in spring. Fresh seeds have good germination and develop without any problems. The cuttings are separated with a sharp sterile instrument, the cut site is dried for several days and rooted in damp sand in spring and summer.

Pests and diseases

Marginatocereus is susceptible to fungal diseases when overwatered.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.

Note

In Mexico are used to create hedges.