Myrtillocactus GEOMETRIZANS

Myrtillocactus GEOMETRIZANS - Bilberry cactus, Whortleberry cactus, Blue candle, Garambullo.

Myrtillocactus is a genus of perennial succulent plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), uniting four species of elongated, heavily branched cacti. Representatives of the genus are distributed across Mexico and Guatemala, predominantly on plateaus and in mountainous regions.

Myrtillocacti belong to those few cacti in which buds can arise on the roots, from which new shoots develop.

The stems are columnar, usually heavily branched, which causes the plants to acquire a tree-like form over time. The maximum height of plants of this genus is about 4.5 m (14.8 ft), with a maximum diameter of about 10 cm (3.9 in). The stem surface is bright green or bluish-green, covered with a blue or bluish-grey waxy bloom. The blue coloration is more characteristic of young plants growing under bright sunlight. Under insufficient lighting, the stems become greener.

The number of ribs is 5 or 6. The distance between areoles ranges from 6 to 25 mm (0.24 to 1.0 in) depending on the species. There are usually five radial spines, their length in mature plants reaching up to 2 mm (0.08 in); the central spine is solitary, longer, and sturdier. In young plants grown from seeds, all spines are usually very short, no more than 1 mm (0.04 in) long.

Funnel-shaped tubular flowers open widely, predominantly at night, and possess a strong scent. They are situated in the upper part of the shoot, several in a single areole. Coloration varies from white to pink, yellow, or a greenish tint. A single plant can produce up to 9 fairly small flowers measuring up to 25 mm (1.0 in) in length.

Small globular fruits resemble bilberries, edible and fleshy, acquiring a blue coloration when ripe.

Bilberry cactus has a tree-like stem of a greyish-glaucous tint with several distinct ribs, sparse areoles, and short spines. As it grows, the shrub forms many offsets and transforms into a robust spreading tree. Flowers are cream or white.

Seeds are sown on the surface of moist sand with the addition of a small amount of peat, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun, at a temperature of 22-25 °C (72-77 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Both overwatering and desiccation of the sowings must be avoided.

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Myrtillocacti are light-loving and unafraid of direct sunlight, requiring no shading. The plant is demanding of fresh air and may suffer from lack of oxygen in a warm, stuffy room. In winter, the crop may require supplemental lighting.

It grows well at temperatures of 24-28 °C (75-82 °F) in summer, and 15-18 °C (59-64 °F) in winter. It does not fear higher temperatures on sweltering summer days and can safely tolerate readings up to 40 °C (104 °F) and even higher. Cold, however, is dangerous for it. If the temperature drops below 10 °C (50 °F), the plant begins to suffer from the cold.

In summer, it is possible and even beneficial to take it out into the open air. In winter, to allow the cactus to enter dormancy and gain strength for spring, it is recommended to place it in a cooler environment. However, the room temperature should not fall below the critical mark.

It prefers dry or moderately humid air. Occasionally, the stems can be sprayed with water from a spray bottle. It is not recommended to place the plant close to heating appliances. Standard room humidity is ideal for cultivation.

It requires very moderate watering. In summer, the substrate is watered as its top layer dries out. Stagnation of water on the soil surface and in drip trays must not be allowed. In winter, watering is substantially reduced. If the room has moderate humidity, it is sufficient to water the cactus lightly once every 30-35 days. Water should be at room temperature, preferably filtered or well-settled.

From March through late September, it is fed with complex mineral fertilizers formulated specifically for succulents and cacti. Fertilizer is applied once every 20-30 days. When diluting fertilizer, the specified dosage must not be exceeded.

The soil used is loose and light with neutral acidity. Ready-made substrates for such plants are commercially available. Alternatively, you can mix a substrate of 1 part turf soil, 1 part leaf mold, 1 part peat, and 1 part coarse sand.

The plant is repotted as it grows, roughly once every 2-3 years. A drainage layer laid at the bottom of the pot must not be omitted. If the container is large, repotting can be done less frequently, but the top layer of soil should be removed annually and replaced with fresh mix. All work on refreshing the soil and repotting is carried out in early spring before the growing season.