Care of the cactus Matucana intertexta or Borzicactus intertextus |
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The genus Matucana, family Cactaceae, comprises 20 species of cactus native to Peru. Some species are: Matucana intertexta, Matucana haynei, Matucana weberbaueri, Matucana madisoniorum, Matucana polzii, Matucana krahnii, Matucana auriantica. Scientific synonyms: Submatucana intertexta, Borzicactus intertextus. This species is native to the Cajamarca region, Peru. They are cacti with a globular body of light green color that becomes cylindrical and reach 30 cm (11.8") in height. They have 15-25 ribs with white areolas that have 8-12 radial brown spines (later they turn gray). The central spines are somewhat thicker and can be 1-2. The flowers appear at the tip of the cactus and are orange and red. Very young specimens can bloom. They are used in pots for balconies and terraces, as indoor and greenhouse plants or in small gardens of cacti and succulents. The Matucana intertexta grows in full sun or semi-shade exposure. The winter safety temperature is 4 ºC (39.2 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of garden substrate, siliceous coarse sand and vermiculite or a commercial cactus preparation with 20% coarse sand. Water in spring and summer only when the substrate has completely dried. Reduce watering in autumn; do not water in winter. Fertilize with mineral cactus fertilizer once in spring and once in summer. They do not need pruning. If there is no excess moisture, they do not present serious pest and disease problems. They propagate easily from seeds sown in spring. The seedlings have a medium growth. |
Images of the cactus Matucana intertexta or Borzicactus intertextus |
 Matucana intertexta  Matucana intertexta |