Cactus sp. 1 (grafted cactus)
Out of stock
This small spineless cactus was used by Native American Indians as a sacrament and holy medicine. A beautiful, delicate cactus that likes a semi-shaded position with regular watering in all seasons except winter, where it should be kept dry. A dry winter encourages flowering. Caespitose is a many headed form of this cactus, having many small heads instead of one main large one. Caespitose is defined in botany as ‘growing in small dense clumps or tufts’.
Care and Cultivation
Semi-shaded position, these cacti can be kept on a windowsill or verandah. A mix of cacti and succulent mix, rock gypsum and 7mm gravel is a good free draining growing media.
Water a few times a week when dry during the hotter months and slowly decrease watering as autumn/winter approach. They go into hibernation during winter and need to be kept dry, this also encourages flowers in the spring/summer. Watering over winter will encourage root rot and death. The cactus will tend to go a little soft over winter; this is normal and nothing to worry about.
These cacti are self-pollinating and therefore do not require a second individual to cross-pollinate, although seed set will be much higher when crossed with another individual. Fertilisers should be low in Nitrogen and higher in Potassium and Phosphorus, such as fertilisers aimed at flowering plants. Seaweed and fish emulsion are excellent for these cacti, use fortnightly to monthly in the growing season, applied at below the recommended strength. Small amounts of gypsum can be used as a rock fertiliser.
Plants turning a red/pink colour indicate that they are receiving too much direct sunlight. Move them into a more shaded area and they should revert to their healthy blue/green colour. These cacti are grown to organic standards without the use of any pesticides/fungicides.
1 variegated grafted Cactus sp. 1 (rootstock are Trichocereus and will last for years) grafts are well taken but vary in size (15-30mm diameter).
These cacti are grown in VIC/NSW and shipped separately from there, please check your state laws before purchase.