Pygmaeocereus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Peru.

Description. Pygmaeocereus is an attractive cactus with a slightly elongated dark green stem up to 25 cm high and a deep taproot system. The ribs are deep and often arranged in a spiral. The spines are slightly curved, strong, and short. During the flowering period, very long, pubescent-covered flower tubes with a large, white flower with a diameter of 6 - 8 cm appear near the top of the plant. The flowers often open at night. Some species of Pygmaeocereus form a very dense mat of many small stems that barely protrude above the ground surface.

Height. Depending on the type, it is 5 - 25 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, normal room temperature is suitable for growing. During the winter months, the cactus must be given a cool rest period at a temperature of 10 - 12 ° C, this is an important condition for the appearance of flowers. 

Lighting

Brightly lit location with light shading from direct sunlight on summer days. Provide maximum light in autumn and winter.

Care

Not the easiest cactus to care for, which requires a certain temperature regime and frequency of watering.

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. The drainage material must make up at least 50% of the total volume of the mixture.

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.

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

During the summer months, you can spray pygmaeocereus in the morning so that the moisture has time to evaporate from the surface before dusk. In the fall and winter, keep the cactus in a dry room and provide it with sufficient air movement without cold drafts.

Soil moisture

During the growing season, water abundantly, but in such a way that the soil dries to half its depth before the next watering. In the winter months, keep watering to a minimum, just trying not to dry out the earthen ball. 

Transplant

Transplantation is carried out in the spring, adult plants are transplanted every 2 - 3 years into deep pots with large drainage holes. When planting, the root collar can be surrounded with a layer of small pebbles or coarse sand for better moisture drainage.

Reproduction

By cuttings, seeds or grafting onto more undemanding rootstocks.

Pests and diseases

Rots develop on rooted plants at the slightest waterlogging.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.