Marshallocereus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Southern USA, Mexico.

Description. Marshallocereus - cacti with erect, sometimes branching green stems at the base with a diameter of 12 - 20 cm, in nature they grow up to 8 m in height. The ribs are numerous, vertical or arranged slightly in a spiral, low. The spines are straight, often dark, from 1 to 5 cm long. Flowers appear in the spring at the top of the stem, funnel-shaped, about 6 cm in diameter, white, pink, brown, short-lived. After flowering, cacti form edible, pleasant-tasting, round fruits up to 7 cm in diameter.

Height. Indoors, young seedlings of small size are grown. Representatives of this species develop quite quickly if optimal conditions are created.

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 8 - 12° 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 abundant flowering.

Care

An unpretentious cactus that does not require a lot of time and labor to care for. Suitable for beginners. In the winter months, it is necessary to force the cactus to go into a dormant state, since if it continues to develop in low light conditions, 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 marshallocereus monthly from spring to fall with a high-potassium liquid cactus and succulent fertilizer.

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

At any time of the year, the air should be dry; marshallocereus does not need spraying. Prefers ventilated rooms with constant air movement, but without cold drafts.

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.

Transplant

Every 2-3 years, a spring transplant is necessary 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 let moisture through.

Reproduction

Propagated by seeds sown in spring. By cuttings. The lateral shoots 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

Marshallocereus can rot if watered too frequently.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.

Note

The pulp of marshallocereus fruits is consumed both fresh and for making jam and alcoholic beverages.