Hertrichocereus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin: Mexico.

Description. Hertrichocereus is a large tree-like cactus with vertical or creeping shoots that form lateral branches. The stems are dark green or brown, quite thin - only 5 - 6 cm in diameter. A distinctive feature of this species is that it is covered with a bluish or silvery coating, which is most pronounced in the upper part of the plant, but the lower part of the stems may remain green. The ribs are vertical, clear, rounded at the top, often have wavy bends. The spines are located in rare areoles, straight, strong. During the flowering period, several buds appear on the tops of the shoots, which turn into cream or yellow attractive flowers. The buds are funnel-shaped, open at night, reach 4 cm in diameter.

Height. In the natural environment it reaches 5 m in height, in pot culture it often does not exceed 2 m, and grows quite quickly.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Suitable for year-round warm keeping; in the winter months, the room temperature should not fall below 10° C. 

Lighting

Well-lit location with shading only on very hot summer days.

Substrate

The soil should contain up to 40 percent of drainage material in the form of coarse river sand. A ready-made mineral mixture for cacti and succulent plants with a pH of no higher than 6.8 is suitable.

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

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. The soil should be dried between waterings. In the autumn-winter period, water extremely carefully - only to avoid drying out the earthen coma.

Transplant

Repot your hertrichocereus as needed in spring, replacing the pot or soil with fresh substrate.

Reproduction

Cuttings of lateral processes separated with a sharp sterile instrument. The cuttings are rooted in a damp mixture of peat and sand, in a warm place, under a glass or plastic cover to maintain uniform humidity.

Pests and diseases

With high air humidity and abundant and frequent watering, rot may appear.

Harmful insects can include mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects.