Image - Wikimedia / Yastay // Copiapoa dealbata
The cactus genus is very special: it consists of thorny plants of very slow growth and extraordinary beauty, which live in arid regions. There are many that, in addition, support the cold and even the frosts. Therefore, as long as they come from crops allowed by CITES and are not specimens that have been taken from their habitat, I am convinced that they will give you a lot of joy.
And, unfortunately, the Copiapoa are one of the cacti most affected by illegal trade, to the point that there are several species in danger of extinction. A) Yes, it is important to know them before it is too late.
Origin and characteristics of the Copiapoa
The Copiapoa are a genus of cactus composed of about 26 species, all of them spread over the north coast of Chile. Their bodies can be columnar or spherical, brown, blue-green or even almost whitish.
Often form more or less dense groups, and all species are spiny. Its flowers sprout at the top of each stem, and are usually yellow.
Main species
The best-known species, and therefore the most frequently sold are:
Copiapoa Atacamensis
Image - Wikimedia / CactusLegado
La Copiapoa Atacamensis It is a species of globular cactus, solitary or branched, grayish-green in color, and spiny. The spines are black or brown, depending on the variety. Measures up to 12 cm tall, and produces yellow flowers.
Copiapoa cinerea
Image - Wikimedia / H. Zell
La Copiapoa cinerea It is a cactus with a globose-cylindrical shape when young but somewhat columnar as it ages. Its body is grayish-green in color, although in its habitat it is covered by a white wax that protects it from the sun, and reaches a height of up to 1,2 meters. The color of their spines also varies, and they can be black or brown. The flowers are yellow.
Coquimbana Copiapoa
Image - Flickr / Patricio Novoa Quezada
La Coquimbana Copiapoa, known as coquimbano, is a plant with a greenish and globose-cylindrical body that tends to form clumps up to 1 meter high. The spines are black when young, then gray. Its flowers are yellow or reddish inside, and perfumed.
Copiapoa dealbata
Image - Wikimedia / Yastay
La Copiapoa dealbata is a highly branched globular cactus, with a gray-white body and a height of up to 1,8 meters. It can be confused with C cinereaBut C. dealbata it has the longest spines and does not usually exceed one meter in height. The flowers are yellow.
Copiapoa humilis
Image - Wikimedia / Stan Shebs
La Copiapoa humilis or humildito is a branched cactus with a globose-cylindrical body of a brown-violet or greenish color depending on the subspecies. Reaches a height of about 20 centimeters, and its flowers are yellow and somewhat odorous.
Copiapoa krainziana
Image - Wikimedia / Stan Shebs
La Copiapoa krainziana, known as chascon, is a species whose body is spherical or cylindrical, grayish-green in color and protected by greyish-white spines. In addition, it may have white 'fibers' or 'hairs', which gives it an appearance similar to that of the Cephalocereus senilis (called old man's head). It grows over 15 centimeters tall. Its flowers are yellow.
Copiapoa mollicula
Image - Wikimedia / Peter A. Mansfeld
La Copiapoa mollicula, called lowland in its place of origin, is a kind of branched cactus, with a greenish body, with black spines. Grows up to 10 centimeters tall. The flowers are yellow, and small.
Copiapoa taltensis
Image - Wikimedia / Stan Shebs
La Copiapoa taltensis (before Copiapoa desertorum) is a cactus that is known as the desert quisco. It has a branched, globose-cylindrical body, greenish, and strongly armed with orange spines. Grows up to 75 centimeters tall. It produces yellow flowers.
Basic care of Copiapoa
Copiapoa are cacti that are prepared to withstand drought, but for that it is essential to take into account some things so that they can grow in conditions:
- Location: it is very important that they get used to being in full sun, outside. They are not shade plants, and in fact, they etiolate (grow large towards a light source, fading) fast when they don't get the light they need.
- Earth:
- Flowerpot: it is recommended that they grow on porous substrates, of the pumice style (for sale No products found.), or fine gravel (1-3mm thick). If the pot is made of clay, the plant will root better than if it is made of plastic. Of course, remember that the container must have holes in the base; in addition, it must be wide.
- Garden: the soil has to be light, sandy. It does not have to flood easily. If you find it necessary, make a large planting hole and fill it with the substrate mentioned above.
- Irrigation: as they support drought, but not waterlogging, the ideal will be to water only when the soil is completely dry. During the fall and winter it will be watered little, only once a month. Do not wet the cactus to prevent it from rotting.
- Subscriber: It is interesting to fertilize your Copiapoa while it grows, that is, in spring and summer. Use for this fertilizer for cactus (for sale No products found.) and follow the instructions that you will find on the package.
- Rusticity: it will depend on the species. However, in general they all bear the cold, and weak frosts do not harm them. In case you have doubts, you can keep your plant indoors with light during the winter.
Do you have any Copiapoa?