Cleistocactus strausii
Silver Torch Cactus
Cleistocactus strausii is a perennial Cactus native to Bolivia and Argentina. It has slender erect grey-green columns which in pots can get as tall as 1.5 metres, although in its natural environment some can grow to 3 metres. Each stem is around 6cm wide, and have long narrow ribs. Each has white areoles spaced about 2cm apart with lots of white hairy spines, giving it a 'hairy', but tidy look. In addition, each areole has a smaller number of thicker, longer and slightly yellower spines. This Cactus branches at the base of the parent stem. When the plant reaches a metre or taller, it produces carmine-red narrow tubular flowers from areoles, around 8-10cm long, in summer. This Cactus prefers full sunny positions, but not extremely high temperatures. While in its native environment it is noted to survive down to -10 degrees Celsius, cultivated specimens are best kept frost free with a minimum winter temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. It needs good drainage and should be potted in a sand, gravel and soil/compost based mix.
Contributed by @richard.spicer.7906
-
Full sun
-
Very little water
-
Not Frost hardy
-
Light and free draining
Common name
Silver Torch Cactus
Latin name
Cleistocactus strausii
type
Succulent
family
Cactaceae
ph
5.5 - 6.5 Acid - Neutral
-
Light
Full sun
-
Frost
Not Frost hardy
-
Soil
Light and free draining
-
Water
Very little water
Plant & bloom calendar
-
Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
0.45 M
0.35 M
Cleistocactus strausii
Cleistocactus strausii is a perennial Cactus native to Bolivia and Argentina. It has slender erect grey-green columns which in pots can get as tall as 1.5 metres, although in its natural environment some can grow to 3 metres. Each stem is around 6cm wide, and have long narrow ribs. Each has white areoles spaced about 2cm apart with lots of white hairy spines, giving it a 'hairy', but tidy look. In addition, each areole has a smaller number of thicker, longer and slightly yellower spines. This Cactus branches at the base of the parent stem. When the plant reaches a metre or taller, it produces carmine-red narrow tubular flowers from areoles, around 8-10cm long, in summer. This Cactus prefers full sunny positions, but not extremely high temperatures. While in its native environment it is noted to survive down to -10 degrees Celsius, cultivated specimens are best kept frost free with a minimum winter temperature of 10 degrees Celsius. It needs good drainage and should be potted in a sand, gravel and soil/compost based mix.
Planting young plants
From Early Spring TO Early Spring
Cleistocactus typically don't like direct afternoon sunlight and should be in partial shade through the hottest hours. They can take direct sunlight in the morning and afternoons. A rich, fast-draining cactus mix is ideal. To plant, do this preferably during the warm season. To repot a cacti, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
richard.spicer.7906
patri
krisbrando
missbrown
wildcardlondon
jeanmbautista
dufflebag
mollyocean
emmaleewolf
Psithurism
Madgardener70
Ben.mcculloch04
Bigeggbrad
Teresa74au
djevrek
DylanH
erino
sujewel86
yougrowgirl
fabulousoctopi