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Cylindropuntia Cactus

Cylindropuntia or Cholla is endemic to the Mexican deserts. Many people are wary of this thorny plant, but cacti growers are not averse to adding this cactus to their collection. In this article, we will describe the features of Cylindropuntia and share with the reader how to grow Cholla at home and other secrets of the plant.

Description of cacti of the genus Cylindropuntia

Cylindropuntia is a genus of 20 species of fast-growing cacti (in some sources - 35 species), growing in Mexico and the southwest of America. Cylindropuntia used to be considered a subgenus of Opuntia (Opuntia), but due to their external differences, they are now separated into separate genera. Some species of Cholla have been introduced to South America (Chile, Ecuador, Peru) and South Africa. Cylindropuntia is rarely grown in plant nurseries. Despite this, these cacti are quite well known. Cholla is one of the most prolific plants in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

All Cylindropuntias are composed of segmented cylindrical stems, growing into small trees rarely exceeding 3 meters in height. Most species have tuberculate stems, abundantly covered with thorns. These are mainly shrub or ground cover cacti, but they can also be tree-like.

Unique properties of Cholla cacti

A feature of cactus spines is a paper shell that completely covers the spines and may fall off over time. This shell gives some types of cactus silvery or golden appearance. This makes the plants seem to glow in the morning or evening when the sun is low and the plant is between the sun and the observer.

The spikes of Cylindropuntia also have serrations that point backwards from the sharp end of the spine, making them cling tightly to the skin of unsuspecting bystanders or animals. It is very painful to pull out these spikes of the skin, which is why the locals do not like the Cholla cacti.

In some species, the stem segments are easily detached. Due to the tenacity of the spines and the easy detachment of the segments, Cylindropuntia have spread widely over a wide area thanks to animals, since any part of the stem will quickly grow into a new plant.

Cholla's cupped flowers tend to take on yellow hues, however they can be red, orange, or even light green. Cylindropuntias are also among the most drought and heat tolerant of all cactus genera. The dense coating of thin stems makes them well adapted to reflect direct sunlight.

How to grow a Cylindropuntia cactus at home

Cholla is a fairly easy-to-care cactus, the cultivation of which will not cause difficulties. We will describe what the grower needs to know about the requirements of the plant.

Soil

The flower needs very loose substrate, as Cholla is susceptible to decay in the presence of excess moisture and low temperatures. Let the soil dry out between waterings, as its natural habitat is in sandy or gravelly, well-draining soils.

Lighting

These plants require a lot of direct sunlight throughout the daylight hours. Make sure they are exposed to the sun for at least 6 hours a day.

A western or southern window will be optimal for a Cholla plant, where the sun's rays will fall directly on the plant.

Temperature

Cylindropuntia likes desert climates. These are hardy plants that do not die so much with small changes in climate. Cholla is not afraid of short-term frosts (-20 degrees Celsius). In summer, the plant can withstand very high temperatures.

Watering

In the summer, during the growing season, the cactus should be watered regularly, but allow the substrate to dry completely before watering again. In winter, Cylindroopuntia should be in dry soil. Also, do not water the plant on cloudy days, wet or cold days.

Fertilizer

For best results in Cylindropuntia cactus growth, fertilize it regularly with a typical cactus fertilizer. In winter, fertilizing should be stopped.

Transplanting

When the roots of Cholla become crowded in a pot, it is worth considering transplanting. As a general rule, Cylindropuntia should be repotted every two years (preferably in spring) in order to change the pot to a larger size or to change the soil. After transplanting, do not water it for a week or more.

Warning! The cactus is "armed" with insidious spikes sharp enough to easily pierce even leather gardening gloves. Glochids and spines easily penetrate the skin and it will be difficult to remove them.

Pruning

Cylindroopuntia does not require regular pruning, but you can prune your cactus from time to time to control its size or tidy up its appearance.

Make sure you are wearing thick protective gloves before you start pruning. It is best to make cuts where the stem segments meet each other, because in these places they are easily separated from each other.

How to propagate the Cylindropuntia cactus

    Propagating the Cholla cactus is relatively easy. The easiest way is doing it with stem cuttings. To propagate the plant, follow these steps:
  • use a sharp pruner or scissors to separate a segment of the cactus stem;
  • set aside a fresh cutting in a dry place for 24 hours so that the cut hardens;
  • prepare a small pot with a sandy, well-drained potting mix;
  • plant the stem cutting in the soil, pressing the cut end into the soil slightly until it can hold itself in the soil;
  • the pot with the cutting should be placed in a place where there is a lot of direct sunlight.

After 3-4 weeks roots should start to grow and you will be able to water the plant well for the first time. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again.

Problems in caring for the Cholla cactus

Cylindropuntia has few enemies that can harm it. However, Cholla is easily susceptible to root rot if the flower is kept in constantly moist soil. Also keep an eye out for mealybugs, which can sometimes nest on its fleshy stems. If you notice signs of this pest, simply spray the cactus with rubbing alcohol or an insecticide. Spraying is best done when the sun does not illuminate the plant.

Common types of Cylindropuntia cactus

Among domestic flower growers, you can find several varieties of this cactus. We will describe them briefly.

Cylindropuntia imbricata

Cylindropuntia imbricata is a species of Cholla cactus native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico (Chihuahua Desert). This species is naturalized in dry areas and along the watercourses of South America, South Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, and Australia. In nature it is found at an altitude of 1200 to 2400 meters above sea level. The plant is remembered for its shrubby or tree-like appearance.

The stems consist of a series of fleshy cylindrical segments about 2-3 cm in diameter. They grow mostly end to end and have areoles containing glochids (very small serrated spikes) adjacent to longer spines. Long spikes have a paper-like shell. The leaves are located at the base of the areoles and are usually not visible on mature segments, as they fall off early. The typical height of a cactus is about 1 m, but there are also higher (4 m with a “trunk” diameter of 25 cm). The flowers form inside or near the areoles on the upper stem segments. The flowers vary in dark pink or purple hues with prominent yellow stamens and bright white stigmas. The fruits are yellowish.

Cylindropuntia Tree (Cylindropuntia arbuscula)

The range of this species extends from central Arizona south to Sonora, Mexico. This is a densely branched tree or shrub up to 3 m high with many intricately branched stems. It has small flowers that can be dark bronze to pale orange-bronze or green.

Fruits are 20-25 mm long, pale green, but sometimes with a red or purple tint. In nature, the cactus grows in heavy soil on the plains of the Sonoran Desert, along sandy bays and shrubs. This species is not numerous and is sensitive to frost.

Cylindropuntia subulata

Another name for the species is Austrocylindropuntia subulata. This species grows in the Peruvian Andes and Chile and is one of the most widespread cacti in South America. It has been widely naturalized in parts of southern Europe and other desert locations. This cactus is found in abundance in the inter-Andean dry valleys.

It is a well-known shrubby thorny plant with several main branches or a small tree with a simple erect trunk and a large, almost hemispherical top up to 5 meters high. The leaves are relatively large and persistent. Usually 1 or 2 spines grow on the segments, and sometimes they are spineless. Spines are thin, erect, pale yellow to greyish white, up to 8 cm long. Flowers adhering to the ends of the branch are usually red, up to 6 cm long.

Bigelow Cylindropuntia (Cylindropuntia bigelovii)

This species is found in abundance in the warm regions of the Mojave Desert, in the Sonoran Desert, as well as in Baja California and the Lower Colorado River Valley. It grows on rocky slopes, sandbanks, gravel and rocky capes. The plant is a perennial shrub or small upright tree up to 1.50 m high with a distinct trunk.

The branches are in the upper part of the trunk, close to each other and almost horizontal. The lower branches usually die off, and fall off, giving the cactus an upright appearance, and the trunk darkens with age. Yellowish spines cover the stem with an impenetrable protection almost completely. The spikes are 2.5 cm long and are covered with a removable paper shell. The flowers are yellow-green, open at the tips of the stems, usually 3.6 cm long. Flowering season: Spring (March to June) or sometimes autumn (September).

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