Myrtgerocactus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. California, Mexico.

Description. Myrtgerocactus is a large cactus with vertical, branching, thin stems. The stems are green, sometimes covered with a bluish waxy coating. The ribs are numerous, vertical or slightly curved in a spiral. The spines are long, straight, and cover the plant abundantly. Flower buds can appear in any part of the stem, but are more likely to appear near the top. The flowers are small - up to 3 cm in diameter, but attractive.

Height. Up to 3 m.

Home care

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, the ideal temperature is 20–25 °C. During the dormant period, the pot is placed in a cool place – about 10 °C. Adult specimens can tolerate short-term frosts if they are in dry soil.

Lighting

Myrtgerocactus should be provided with the maximum amount of sunlight in the morning and evening, as well as throughout the day in autumn and winter.

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 with fertilizers for cacti and succulents high in potassium, calcium and phosphorus. The fertilizer is diluted to half the recommended dose and applied in spring and summer. During the dormant period, cacti are not fed.

Purpose

A very large species; collections mainly include young seedlings.

Flowering time

Spring Summer. Only mature plants bloom.

Air humidity

Does not require spraying. During the fall and winter, keep the cactus in a dry atmosphere and provide it with sufficient air movement without cold drafts.

Soil moisture

Water in spring and summer until the earthen ball is completely soaked; be sure to remove excess water that has accumulated in the pan after watering. Between waterings, the soil should be dried to 1/3 depth. In the autumn-winter period, water extremely carefully - only to avoid drying out the earthen clod.

Transplant

Replant in the spring, as it grows or, if necessary, to change the soil, once every 1 - 2 years.

Reproduction

Stem cuttings, in spring. The cut area should be dried for 3 to 4 days. After transplanting, water sparingly. Seeds are sown in spring in well-drained soil. The pot with seedlings is placed in a warm place with a temperature of 22 - 24 ° C.

Pests and diseases

When water stagnates and is over-moistened, especially in the autumn-winter period, rot occurs.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.