Cleistocactus strausii

Been a while since I posted this beast. This has been looking so much better since being outdoors. I wish I’d done it sooner as it was very neglected in the past. It gets much more light outside too. It’s about 2ft tall now, and I moved it to the polytunnel for winter to stop the rain and frost getting to it, but otherwise temperature wise it’s been fine. I’ve got a bit of fleece next to it just to be safe but I remember someone telling me they are fine with cold temps #cactus

It’s got three new branches too 😄 one at front where I cut a rotten one off about three years ago, and two round the back #cleistocactus #cleistocactus-strausii #silvertorchcactus

That’s gorgeous! Looks like fur 😍

Fine specimen 👍

What can I say?! 🤭🙊 You need a nice pair of aviators on them! 😎😆😉

Oh! I say....😳 never seen one that furry....

Fabulous example & 2 foot tall too 👍

Yes, it’s more furry than spiky Kerry, although catch it at the wrong angle it does occasionally hurt a bit 🤕 still sharp anything to tear the fleece I put on it 🙄 @kez001uk

Thanks Deb! I inherited it about 10 years ago although it was neglected for most until about 3 years ago. Wondering how tall it might get eventually? 🤔 @debs69

Lol! Funny you should say that as I was scrolling through some photos of our world garden trip and found our friend in the cactus house! Maybe they are related? 🤔😅 @rachelbrooks

😆 keeps him warm in the winter Elaine! He’s a clever cactus 🌵🥶🧥 @wagsmomthompsonbtinternetcom

Thanks Jeff, yeah not quite sure where he’ll go if he gets much taller, that pot is extremely heavy, think I might have overloaded the bench! Might need to reinforce it soon! 🙈 @jeatacake

My Silver Torch cactus - repotted in a nice new terracotta pot with a homemade soil, sand and grit mix. It's had years of neglect but I've now got a new appreciation for it! I also cut off the dead stump (which you can see near bottom) - now has 5 healthy looking branches (one at the back is hidden in this photo. I popped it out on the porch step yesterday to get some sun 😊🌵☀️

#cacti 👍

#cleistocactus #cleistocactus-strausii #silvertorchcactus #cactus

Fab 👏

Close up of one of the stems - can anyone help with ID? Had it for years and never really knew what it was (inherited with no label)... #cactus #plantid #plantid-cactus

Stunning photo Richard. 😊😊. @richard.spicer.7906

That's a hairy one Rich 😂

Looks so fluffy but I bet it's not as soft as it looks!

Maybe @lovestogarden @Muzz67 @deekay can help with #plantid-succulent ?

Not familiar with hairy cacti I am sorry.

Aw, thanks Jane 😬 @pelly 👍🏼

Hehe 😂😂 @nessas

No, you are definitely right their @clipperty - it looks like fine hair but actually they are fine spines. I don't think these are tough enough to break skin, but hidden amongst them are a small number of thicker ones 😫!

Thanks @SikoMa @deekay anyway for taking a look. I think we have a positive ID from my other photo - Silver Torch Cactus 🤗

Can't help with this lovely hairy one sorry

Super. #upclose

Here you go @KariSamuel - took this pic back in April 2016. I'm planning on repotting it this year but my knowledge of cacti isn't quite what it used to be. Need to figure out if now is good or later in spring. Do you think it's the same as yours? I have no idea what this one is 🤔 #cactus #plantid #plantid-cactus

Wow that's amazing Rich 👍👍

Thanks Julie 😬🌵, although I have no idea how it got this big given I don't look after it very well 😳 @juliesgarden

Oh thanks @ukjohnny 😀 - that does look incredibly similar! Just looked on google and it's a good contender 👍🏼

Here is a great link: http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Cleistocactus_strausii.html

Not the same as my Peruvian Old Man Cactus! I guess we will learn from everyone else!! I just mentioned that very thing to @angeljen, how crazy much I've learned since join Gtags!

@ukjohnny - ☆Rockstar☆ ! @gjones - that is what we were trying to determine... size and, um... ahem, the shape are different. 🙊😄🙈😂

#cacti #cleistocactus #strausii #silvertorchcactus

Well, I've done some reading now and I'm inclined to agree it's not Peruvian old man Cactus as this one looks too 'tidy'. What appears as hairs, are actually very thin spines and then every so often you get he thicker ones. Another thing I noticed was that it has a number of branches off the base of one main stem, and apparently old man Cactus doesn't often branch (according to web). So I think we have an ID as Silver Torch Cactus - thanks everyone for you help, and thanks Kari for.....

(cont) persuading me to post it. And thanks John for the ID! Think I'll be taking better care of it from now on!! 😊🙏🏼 @KariSamuel @ukjohnny @gjones @juliesgarden

What a great name too !! 👍👏😍

How do you repot fragile cacti 🌵 without spending ages picking spikes out of fingers?