Acanthocereus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Cuba - Greater Antilles (West Indies - Caribbean Sea).

Description. The generic name acanthocereus comes from the Greek akantha, meaning thorn. Shrub plants with arched bright green branched stems that have from 3 to 5 ribs, rarely only 2 or more than 7. The trunk is 2.5 - 4 cm in diameter. The stems have small white areoles. The distance between the areolas is about 8 mm. Thin white radial needles 6 mm. long, central spines 10-12 mm. The flowers are large - up to 20 cm in diameter, white with a yellow center in all species, nocturnal; some species are quite aromatic with fleshy petals. The flowers are open from midnight until dawn. The spines are short and thick. The flower tubes of acanthocereus also have spines. Ripe fruits are red and spherical and contain large black seeds. This genus is found in tropical southern Mexico, Central America, northern South America, the Caribbean, and even Florida.  

Height. Up to 7 m.

Acanthocereus - home care

Temperature conditions

A heat-loving plant, however, it tolerates approximately -7 ° C for a short time.

Lighting

Lots of direct sunlight, especially in winter.

Care

Like most cacti, it is very undemanding and hardy. Make sure your acanthocereus gets enough water, fertilize it promptly, and you will be rewarded with showy flowers. Most hobbyists will grow acanthocereus without any problems. 

Substrate

Well-drained soil containing some organic matter. Some cactus growers recommend avoiding soil containing sphagnum moss - this can make acanthocereus susceptible to root rot.

Feeding

Feed the acanthocereus twice a month with cactus fertilizers during the growing season.

Purpose

An unpretentious plant with large, showy flowers, suitable for succulent collectors.

Flowering time

During the summer.

Air humidity

Does not require high air humidity and easily tolerates dry living conditions.

Soil moisture

Watering is somewhat more abundant than for other cacti. The soil should be kept moist during the growing season.

Transfer

It may be necessary to repot if your acanthocereus has outgrown its ​pot. When repotting, remove old soil and trim any rotten or dead roots, then place in a new pot. Do not water the plant for a week after transplanting - damaged roots may rot if the soil is too moist.

Reproduction

Acanthocereus usually propagates quite easily from cuttings - just cut them with a sterile knife and replant them in moist, well-drained soil. First, let the cut area dry for 1 - 2 days, this will facilitate the formation of new roots. 

Pests and diseases

If the roots become black or excessively soft, this is an indicator of root rot - cut off the affected parts and replant the plant, watering with water.

Harmful insects can include mealybugs, spider mites and scale insects.