Care of the cacti Cereus spegazzinii or Moonlight Cactus |
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The genus Cereus, family Cactaceae, comprises 50 species of cactus native to South America. Some species are: Cereus spegazzinii, Cereus peruvianus, Cereus haageanus, Cereus albicaulis, Cereus jamacaru, Cereus lanosus. Common names: Nightblooming cereus, Moonlight Cactus. This species is native to Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. They are relatively fast growing cacti with an erect or prostrate bearing that branch and reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in length. They have 3 to 5 ribs of dark bluish-green epidermis with areoles that have small radial spines red with white wool and sometimes a central spine. The flowers are pinkish-white and can measure 13 cm (5.11") in length. Its fruits are decorative due to their red color. Young specimens are used in pots; adult cacti are used in rockeries, on dry sunny slopes or in gardens of cacti and succulents. Cereus spegazzinii requires full sun exposure and a warm, dry climate. The winter safety temperature is 4ºC (39.2 ºF). As soil, a commercial substrate for cacti with 20% coarse siliceous sand is recommended. Water in spring and summer waiting for the substrate to be dry. Starting in autumn, reduce watering; do not water in winter. Fertilize with mineral cactus fertilizer in mid-spring. Prune only to remove dry stems. They do not usually present serious pest and disease problems. They propagate by seeds sown in spring or by stem cuttings in summer. |
Images of the cacti Cereus spegazzinii or Moonlight Cactus |
 Cereus spegazzinii  Cereus spegazzinii  Cereus spegazzinii |