melocactus

Los melocactus They are a very peculiar genus of cacti, especially when they bloom. Their growth rate is considerably slow, so they can be grown in pots for a long time.

But it must be said that they are also some of those that live in climates a little warmer than those we are used to seeing in nurseries. So the care they should receive is a little different.

Origin and characteristics of the Melocactus

The genus Melocactus is made up of some 40 species originating from Mexico to the north of South America; In fact, only in Cuba, that tropical island bathed by crystal clear waters and favored by warm temperatures all year round, there are 11 different varieties. Its body is globose, often solitary although if they suffer damage in the upper part they can produce ramifications. Height and diameter vary, but generally its dimensions are 40 x 30-35 centimeters.

When they reach maturity, normally bloom in spring although they can be in autumn, and they do it in a curious way: producing a crown at the top that is known as the cephalium. On it, small reddish or pinkish flowers will sprout. If they are pollinated, they ripen red fruits of 1-2 centimeters, with an elongated shape, which contain a large quantity of seeds.

Main species

The best known species are the following:

melocactus azureus

It is a species of dark green color, almost bluish, endemic to Brazil. Reaches a height of up to 45 centimeters and a diameter of up to 19 centimeters. The cephalium reaches 12 centimeters high by 9 centimeters in diameter, and its flowers are pink or magenta.

Melocactus bahiensis

It is an endemic cactus from Brazil, with pyramidal, globose or depressed bearing of about 21 centimeters in height by approximately the same in diameter. The cephalium is short, 5 centimeters high, and measures 6-8 centimeters in diameter. The flowers are also pink or magenta in color.

Melocactus Conoideus

This is an endemic cactus to Brazil, which grows in the savannas. Reaches a height of 10 centimeters and a diameter of up to 17 centimeters. The cephalium is dark red in color, 4 centimeters high by 7,5 centimeters in diameter, and pinkish-reddish blossoms sprout from it.

Melocactus estevesii

It is a variety of Melocactus endemic to Roiraima, in Brazil. Its dimensions once it reaches adulthood they are as follows: 22 centimeters high by 10-17 centimeters in diameter. The cephalium is reddish, and measures 13 centimeters high by 6 centimeters in diameter. Its flowers are pink.

Melocactus matanus

This cactus is endemic to Cuba, and reaches a size of up to 9 centimeters in height by 8-9 centimeters in diameter. Its body is globose, green in color, and when it blooms it produces a reddish cephalium 9 centimeters high by 5-6 centimeters in diameter. Its flowers are pink.

What are their cares?

Do you dare to have a Melocactus in your collection? If so, we are going to recommend that you take care of it as follows:

Location

Whenever possible, it is best to be in a place where direct sun shines all day. But unlike other cacti, it can also grow well in semi-shade, but it is important that the area has a lot of light.

Of course: be careful with exposing it to sunlight without first acclimating it. He would suffer burns, and they would never go away. In this article you have information on how to get used to it little by little.

Earth

• Garden: the soil must be light and have good drainage. We must avoid planting it in compact and / or heavy soils, since otherwise its roots could not be properly oxygenated and they would die.
• Flower pot: the characteristics of the substrate must be the same as those mentioned above. For this reason, we recommend growing it on pumice, akadama or similar. It is preferable for the pot to be wider than it is high, and made of clay rather than plastic to make it easier to root.

Irrigation

Irrigation will be a little more frequent than that given to other cacti, but never forgetting that it will not bear having the soil constantly humid. The ideal is to water from time to time, allowing the substrate or soil to dry out completely, both in summer and winter.

During the winter season, if there is frost in your area, do not water it more than twice a month, avoiding doing so on colder days.

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While growing, that is, during the warm months of the year, it is advisable to fertilize the Melocactus with liquid fertilizers. Use specific ones for cacti (on sale No products found.), and carefully follow the instructions for use.

Multiplication

The Melocactus multiply by seeds in spring or summer. Use substrates that drain water quickly, such as vermiculite or a cactus land of quality, and places the seeds scattered over its entire surface, without piling them up.

They will germinate in about 17-20 days.

Transplant

They have to transplant in spring. If they are grown in pots, do it every 3 or 4 years.

Rusticity

Cold hardiness varies depending on the species, but in general they support up to -2ºC.

Did you know the Melocactus?