Cleistocactus TARIJENSIS

Cleistocactus TARIJENSIS - Tarija cleistocactus, Cleistocactus tarijensis.

Cleistocactus is a genus of South American cacti with columnar or decumbent ribbed stems. In recent times, a whole series of previously independent cactus genera has been included in it. It was named so due to the structure of the flowers, which are almost always closed and represent tubes from 2 to 9 cm (0.8 to 3.5 in) long. Native to the foothills of the Andes, hilly and rocky regions of Bolivia, Peru, Uruguay, and western Argentina.

The genus unites 49 species of columnar, horizontal, or creeping shrub-like cacti branching at the base, depending on the species. Stem length varies from 30 cm to 3 m (11.8 in to 9.8 ft) in erect tree-like plants. Stem diameter also varies greatly. Ribs are shallow and numerous, averaging 15-25. Areoles are also numerous, closely spaced, and carry many bristle-like spines of various lengths and colors.

Radial spines (7-30) are thin, straight, 0.3-1.5 cm (0.1-0.6 in) long. Central spines (1-3) are needle-like, up to 5 cm (2.0 in) long. Due to frequent areoles and closely spaced ribs, the numerous spines of some cleistocacti almost completely conceal the plant stem. Cleistocactus strausii, popular in cultivation, is nicknamed the "silver torch" or "white candle" for this reason. Cacti of this genus grow relatively quickly, adding an average of 3-5 cm (1.2-2.0 in) over the growing season.

Cleistocactus tarijensis has a slender, columnar stem up to 70 cm (27.6 in) tall and up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in diameter. Ribs number up to 20. The numerous spines are thin and translucent, the middle ones up to 2.5 cm (1.0 in) in length. Spine coloration ranges from white to yellowish. Flowers are tubular, sepals are red with yellow tips, and petals are bluish-pink with a white base.

Seeds are sown on the surface of a loose substrate, moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not direct sun, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

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In summer, this cactus prefers a sunny spot, but it must not be kept in very dry conditions. In winter, it is best kept in a bright and cool place; a temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) is entirely sufficient. In this case, the plant should be watered very moderately.

The abundance of watering depends on the time of year and the condition of the substrate in the pot. Thus, watering is recommended only after the soil has dried out completely. In summer during the hot months, drying of the soil occurs significantly faster, so watering at this time will be more abundant than in the autumn-winter period.

It is fed during the period of intensive growth once every 7 days. Cactus fertilizers are used for this. In the winter period, fertilizers are not added to the soil.

Repotting of young plants is carried out once a year, and it is recommended to do this in spring. Mature specimens are repotted only as necessary, for example, when the roots no longer fit into the pot.

It grows best in compost soil, to which a little sand is added to improve water permeability. You can make the soil mix yourself by combining turf soil, leaf mold, and peat soil, plus coarse river sand, which should be taken in a ratio of 2:2:1:4.

Unlike all other genera, in winter the stems of cleistocactus should not shrivel, as they no longer restore their turgor. That is why caring for the plants during winter quarters requires special attention.