#Cereus spiral cactus full

There are in total about 33 different species of this cacti, but they are not recommended for the home. Among well-adapted species with low care requirements are: 3.2 How often should I water my Cereus cactus?.1.15 Cereus stenogonus (Narrow-angled Cereus).1.14 Cereus spegazzinii (Moonlight Cactus).1.7 Cereus hexagonus (Lady of the Night Cactus).But during the fall and winter, you can pretty much leave the plant alone as its growth slows down, and it goes on dormant mode. The active growing season for this cactus is in the spring and summer, during which it needs frequent watering and periodic fertilizer. Moreover, an outdoor location is ideal for promoting blooms and fruits. It can be grown in large pots and kept indoors, but because it tends to grow very tall and large, it is best planted outdoors, where growing conditions are most favorable.

#Cereus spiral cactus full

It loves getting plenty of light and exposure to full sun, and it thrives in well-draining soil and just enough water to keep its stems from shrinking. The texture is like that of dragon fruit, and it is delicious, although not with the same fragrant taste.Ī Cereus cactus or Peruvian apple cactus is easy to care for and is generally a hassle-free plant. The plant also bears small yellow to violet-red fruits with edible white flesh and crunchy seeds. These flowers are large, funnel-shaped, and mostly white. But it needs to be placed in a bright, warm, and low-traffic area because it has sharp thorns that can cause injury to you, your family, and your pets.Ī mature Cereus cactus forms flowers that bloom open for only one night and wilt in the morning. The plant also thrives in a container, whether placed indoors or outdoors. It will make an attractive addition to any desert-themed landscape because of the spiny texture and vertical lines that give it a sculptural appeal. It has upright ribbed stems that range from sea-green and gray-green in color and brown or black spines. It has a distinct, columnar shape, and it can grow to a tree-like size or up 25 feet (7.6 meters) tall in its natural habitat. This South American native is a shrubby cactus variety that grows vigorously given the right conditions.

The word Cereus is from an Ancient Greek word that means candle or wax torch, referring to the plant’s cylindrical shape. Some people also call it the Peruvian apple cactus because of its fleshy, apple-like fruit. The Cereus cactus (Cereus peruvianus or Cereus repandus) is also known as the Queen of the Nightbecause it is a night bloomer. Its most distinguishing features are its big, fragrant funnel-shaped flowers that bloom at night and its apple-like fruits. The Cereus cactus is a tree-like columnar cactus that boasts well-defined ribs lined with stout spines and large areolas. Stop applying fertilizer in the fall and winter when the plant goes dormant, and its growth slows down. The proper time to feed your Cereus cactus with fertilizer is during its growing season. Note that excessive fertilizer can actually damage your plant, so always follow the directions written on the package, especially as it pertains to the proper amount and frequency to feed your plant.

There is also a liquid cactus fertilizer that you can apply at half strength every ten days during the growing period. However, you may have to dilute it to one-quarter of the normal strength. You can also use a general-purpose fertilizer for household plants to feed your cacti or succulents. One application can usually give plants adequate nutrition all season long. You can boost your plant’s growth and supplement the soil by applying a slow-release organic fertilizer during the growing period.Īnd because this granular fertilizer would speed up growth, you may need to transfer your cactus to a bigger pot in no time.Ī slow-release fertilizer is an especially good choice for plants in containers.