Consulta Plantas

Care of the cacti Cleistocactus strausii or Wooly torch cactus

The genus Cleistocactus, family Cactaceae, includes 40 species of cactus native to Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia. Some species are: Cleistocactus strausii, Cleistocactus samaipatanus, Cleistocactus hyalacanthus, Cleistocactus winteri, Cleistocactus tupizensis, Cleistocactus candelilla, Cleistocactus acanthurus.

Common names: Silver torch cactus, Wooly torch cactus. This species is native to Bolivia.

They are columnar cacti that branch from the base and reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. They have up to 25 ribs covered in white woolly spines. They also have 4 longer yellow central spines. The showy red tubular flowers bloom in spring and fall. They produce green fruits.

They are used to form groups together with green or bluish cacti, in rockeries, in succulent gardens and in large pots.

Cleistocactus strausii needs direct sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. They resist frost if the soil is dry.

The soil can be a mixture, in equal parts, of topsoil, coarse sand, and brown peat. The pot transplant is done in early spring; It is important that the pot is wide as the roots develop a lot.

Water regularly in the summer waiting for the soil to dry out (more or less once a week). Stop watering from mid-fall to early spring.

Fertilize with mineral cactus fertilizer once in spring and once in summer.

They do not need pruning.

They can be attacked by mealybugs (especially young plants) and, if overwatered, by fungi.

They are propagated by cuttings in summer or by seeds sown in early spring.

Images of the cacti Cleistocactus strausii or Wooly torch cactus