Care of the cacti Echinocereus cinerascens or Cereus cinerascens |
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The genus Echinocereus, family Cactaceae, is made up of some 50 species of cacti native to Mexico and the USA. Some species are: Echinocereus cinerascens, Echinocereus pentalophus, Echinocereus sciurus, Echinocereus pectinatus, Echinocereus blanckii, Echinocereus rigidissimus, Echinocereus baileyi. Scientific synonym: Cereus cinerascens. This species is native to central Mexico. They are highly branched tussock cacti with cylindrical grayish-green stems that reach 30 cm (11.8") in height but extend up to 1.2 meters (39.37 feet) in diameter. They have 7-10 whitish radial spines and 1-4 longer central spines (up to 2.5 cm/0.98") yellowish. The showy lilac, pink or purple flowers are up to 8 cm (3.14") in diameter. They produce prickly fruits 3 cm (1.18") long. Cereus cinerascens is used in light undergrowth, in semi-shaded rockeries, to form borders and in pots (they flower less). Echinocereus cinerascens needs semi-shade exposure and a dry climate. It resists temperatures up to 4 ºC (39.2 ºF). In winter you have to cover it with transparent plastic to protect it from rain. The soil can be a mixture, in the same proportions, of normal garden soil, coarse sand and heather soil or leaf mulch. Always water moderately, waiting for the substrate to dry completely; it's very sensitive to moisture. Do not water from mid-autumn to early spring. In winter you have to cover them with transparent plastic to protect them from the rain. Echinocereus cinerascens does not need fertilizer or pruning. Cereus cinerascens is a quite resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases but very sensitive to excess moisture, especially in winter. Echinocereus cinerascens is easily propagated from spring sown seeds and by stem cuttings. |
Images of the cacti Echinocereus cinerascens or Cereus cinerascens |
 Echinocereus cinerascens |