Care of the cacti Cleistocactus samaipatanus or Borzicactus samaipatanus |
|
The genus Cleistocactus, family Cactaceae, includes 40 species of cactus native to Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. Some species are: Cleistocactus samaipatanus, Cleistocactus hyalacanthus, Cleistocactus winteri, Cleistocactus strausii, Cleistocactus tupizensis, Cleistocactus candelilla, Cleistocactus acanthurus. Scientific synonym: Borzicactus samaipatanus. This species is native to Bolivia. They are fast-growing, erect or prostrate cacti whose stems can reach 1.50 meters (4.92 feet) in length. They have between 14 and 17 ribs with areoles that have 13 to 40 yellowish spines. The showy red or pink tubular flowers are up to 5 cm (1.96") in length. They bloom from late spring to early summer. They are used as greenhouse, patio or indoor plants in hanging pots that are wider than they are deep. They are ideal for rockery in frost-free regions. The Cleistocactus samaipatanus prefers direct sun exposure; in semi-shade they bloom less. In winter do not expose them to less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 70% coarse sand and 30% leaf mulch or a commercial cactus substrate with 20% coarse sand. The transplant is done in spring. Water every 2 weeks in spring, every 10 days in summer and once a month in autumn; in winter stop watering. Fertilize with compost in early spring and with mineral fertilizer for cacti in early summer. They can be pruned from time to time to control their expansion. They do not usually present pest and disease problems if there is no excess watering. They propagate by rooting stem cuttings of at least 10 cm (3.93") in length, previously dried for 3-4 days (never in direct sun), to root in sandy substrate. They also reproduce by seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the cacti Cleistocactus samaipatanus or Borzicactus samaipatanus |
 Cleistocactus samaipatanus  Cleistocactus samaipatanus  Cleistocactus samaipatanus  Cleistocactus samaipatanus |