Cylindropuntia

Cacti of the genus Cylindropuntia They are shrubby plants, or sometimes arboreal, that can be grown in xero-gardens, or even in pots. They are called choyas, and the most common is that they are thorny plants. But between thorn and thorn, good-sized flowers sprout from the upper part of the stems in spring-summer.

Unlike other cacti, its growth rate is fast. In fact, there are some species, such as Cylindropuntia rosea, which is considered an invasive species since they need very little to live and colonize other areas. Therefore, the others that can be grown, will be better or have them in a container, or in a corner of the garden that has easy access.

Origin and characteristics of Cylindropuntia

This is a genus of cactus native to the Americas, both north and south. They are especially abundant in the United States and Mexico; Although today they have managed to reach other countries and even cross the ocean to the Old Continent, probably carried by curious and / or amateurs. But in any case, We are talking about plants that measure between 1 and 7 meters, with stems which are divided into tuberculated sections.

Yellow or reddish spines sprout from the areolas, which are about a centimeter long. The flowers are yellowish, red, or magenta in color, and appear at the upper end of the stems. The fruit is shaped like a sphere, and inside it has brown seeds which are about three millimeters on average.

Main species

The new options are the following:

Cylindropuntia acanthocarpa

It is a cactus that grows in North America and Mexico. It is a common plant of the Sonoran desert. It measures between 1 and 4 meters in height, and produces very pretty yellow flowers with a size of between 2 and 3 centimeters in diameter.

Cylindropuntia munzii

It is a cactus that grows as a shrub or as an arboreal plant native to both North America and Mexico. Reaches a height of 2 to 4 meters, and its stems are well armed with thorns. The flowers are red, although they can be brownish.

Cylindropuntia imbricata

It is a cactus native to Mexico that reaches 3 meters in height. In its place of origin it is known as cardón, cardenche or entraña, and it develops as a highly branched and thorny shrub. The flowers are red and measure 5 centimeters in diameter.

Cylindropuntia rosea (before C.pallida)

It is native to Mexico and the southern United States. It is a shrubby cactus that it can reach 1 meter in height, although the most common is that it does not exceed 50 centimeters. The stems are green, and their spines are whitish. As for the flowers, they are pink.

Cylindropuntia spinosior

This species is native to North America and reaches Mexico. It reaches a height of between 40 centimeters and 2 meters, and it is a cactus with thorny stems. The flowers can be pink, red, purple, white, or yellow.

Invasive species in Spain

According to Atlas of invasive plants of Spain, there are a number of Cylindropuntia that cause a lot of damage to the ecosystem, and they are:

• Cylindropuntia imbricata
• Cylindropuntia rosea
• Cylindropuntia spinosior

Possession and trade in these plants is prohibited. And of course, so is its introduction to the natural environment.

What are the care for Cylindropuntia?

As long as it is not invasive, it can be kept in a garden or, better, in a pot, if you provide it with these cares:

Location

So that I can grow up healthy, it is important that it is placed in a sunny place. These types of plants need a lot, a lot of light to have a correct development, so that it is not necessary to put it in shade. But beware: you can (and should) put it in semi-shade if you are not yet used to direct sunlight.

Earth

The earth it has to be light, whether it is going to be kept on the garden floor or if you are going to choose to have it in a pot. Therefore, if it is very heavy, it is advisable to mix it in equal parts with perlite (for sale No products found.) or cheek.

Another option is to use cactus soil that is already sold prepared for these plants (for sale No products found.), or mix pumice with 40% peat.

Irrigation

Generally scarce. You have to water very occasionally since they resist drought well, but not excess water. Thus, The soil must be allowed to dry completely between one watering and the next. 

Subscriber

It should only be paid if it is potted, since in these conditions the substrate little by little runs out of nutrients. Thus, it will be paid with a fertilizer for cacti, if possible liquid (for sale No products found.), in spring and summer.

We will put the dose indicated by the manufacturer in the water, and we will water the soil (never wet the plant)

Multiplication

The Cylindropuntia multiply by cuttings and by seeds during spring. The cuttings have to measure about 20 centimeters and be planted in pots; this way they will take root after about 14 days.

On the other hand, the seeds germinate well if they are planted in pots with cactus soil, and the seedbed is then placed in full sun. They germinate soon like this, in about 7 days if they are fresh.

Rusticity

Hardiness depends on the species, but endure the cold, and even weak frosts.

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