Care of the cacti Cereus spegazzinii or Moonlight Cactus |
The genus Cereus, family Cactaceae, comprises 50 species of cactus native to South America. Some species are: Cereus spegazzinii, Cereus peruvianus, Cereus haageanus, Cereus albicaulis, Cereus jamacaru, Cereus lanosus. Common names: Nightblooming cereus, Moonlight Cactus. This species is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. They are relatively fast growing cacti with an erect or prostrate bearing that branch and reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in length. They have 3 to 5 ribs of dark bluish-green epidermis with areoles that have small radial spines red with white wool and sometimes a central spine. The flowers are pinkish-white and can measure 13 cm (5.11") in length. Its fruits are decorative due to their red color. Young specimens are used in pots; adult cacti are used in rockeries, on dry sunny slopes or in gardens of cacti and succulents. Cereus spegazzinii requires full sun exposure and a warm, dry climate. The winter safety temperature is 4ºC (39.2 ºF). As soil, a commercial substrate for cacti with 20% coarse siliceous sand is recommended. Water in spring and summer waiting for the substrate to be dry. In autumn reduce watering; do not water in winter. Fertilize with mineral cactus fertilizer in mid-spring. Prune only to remove dry stems. Nightblooming cereus does not usually present serious pest and disease problems. Moonlight Cactus propagates by seeds sown in spring or by stem cuttings in summer. |
Images of the cacti Cereus spegazzinii or Moonlight Cactus |