Cereus

Los Cereus They are cacti that we find relatively easily in nurseries and garden stores, and for good reason: they are quite easy to maintain, and if we add to that that they live without problems in pots throughout their lives, surely we are talking about one of the succulent plants most recommended for beginners.

There are several species that are very interesting, such as the one we know as the computer cactus, even though it does not protect you from screen radiation at all. So if you want to know everything about Cereus, let's get started  .

Origin and characteristics of the Cereus

The Cereus genus is made up of some 49 accepted species of prostrate or upright shrubs originating in America, particularly Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay. They can reach a maximum height of 15 meters, although the normal thing is that they do not exceed 5-6 meters. Its stems have four to ten large ribs, with rarely hairy areoles.

The flowers are funnel-shaped, and are up to 20 centimeters in length. The fruits are greenish, yellow or red, with the juicy pulp which protects numerous large black seeds.

Main species

The most popular are:

Cereus jamacaru

Known as mandacaru, it is an endemic species to Brazil. It has a wooded appearance, with a height of up to 9 meters and a main trunk 50-55cm thick.. The stems are rather thin, 10-15cm wide, greenish in color. The flowers bloom in summer, they are white and measure 25cm in diameter. The fruit is 12cm long and purple.

Cereus peruvianus

Known as candelabra cactus, Uruguayan cardón or computer cactus, it is a species native to southern Brazil, Uruguay, and eastern Argentina. It develops columnar habit with multiple stems, whose maximum height is 15 meters. These stems are about 15cm thick, and are bluish-green when young, and darker green as they age. The flowers are white, and are 16cm in length.

Cereus repandus

The scientific name Cereus repandus Is synonymous with Cereus peruvianus, which means that they are both the same.

Cereus spiralis

There are some Cereus, such as the Cereus validus or Cereus forbesii, which can take the shape of a spiral. If it happens, reach a height of about 7, maximum 8 meters.

What are the care it requires?

If you dare to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care so that it will last you for many years:

Location

They are cacti that want sun, but only if they have gotten used to it little by littleotherwise they burn quickly. For this reason, you should NEVER expose them to the star king if they were previously protected from it.

You should go little by little, leaving them for a little while in the morning first thing in the morning the first few times, and gradually increase the exposure time.

Earth

• Flower pot: fill it with a very porous substrate, pumice type, akadama or similar. If you have trouble finding them, go to a store where they sell construction products, and buy a sack of fine gravel (1-3mm thick), which will cost you maybe € 1 or € 2 for a 25kg one, and at home mix a 70% of this gravel with 30% of substrate for plants.
• Garden: grows in soils rich in organic matter, with good drainage. If the one you have is not like that, make a large hole, at least 50 x 50cm, and fill it with the mix of substrates mentioned above.

Irrigation

Irrigation must be very low. To go well, you only have to water when the substrate or soil is completely dry. If in doubt, check the humidity by digging a bit with your fingers, and if you see that it is still wet, do not water for a few days.

In case you have your Cereus in a pot, do not put a plate under it unless you always remember to remove the remaining water after each watering. This will prevent the roots, and therefore the plant, from rotting. For this same reason you should not plant in pots without holes, or spray / spray the cactus.

Subscriber

From early spring to late summer it is interesting to pay it with Blue nitrophoska or with a liquid cactus fertilizer following the indications specified on the package.

Multiplication

Cereus multiply by seeds in spring-summer, or by stem cuttings in spring.

Plagues and diseases

They are quite hardy in general, but can be attacked by snails during the rainy season. To avoid this, you can spread diatomaceous earth around the plant, or protect it with mosquito netting as a greenhouse.

Another option is to use molluscicides, but if you have animals in the area where you have the plants, or you suspect that there may be some, it is not recommended.

They may also have fungal diseases such as roya.

Rusticity

They resist the cold well, but it is advised that the temperature does not drop below 5ºC, especially if they are of a Caribbean or Brazilian species. Anyway, there are some, like the Cereus peruvianus, which withstands frosts down to -3ºC.

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