Care of the cactus Stenocereus pruinosus or Gray Ghost Organ Pipe |
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The genus Stenocereus, family Cactaceae, comprises 20 species of cactus native to Mexico, the southern United States, Central America, Venezuela and Colombia. Some species are: Stenocereus pruinosus, Stenocereus griseus, Stenocereus dumortieri, Stenocereus eruca, Stenocereus alamosensis, Stenocereus montanus. Common names: Gray Ghost Organ Pipe, Pitayo, Pitaya of October. This species is native to southern and central Mexico. They are cacti of little branched columnar bearing that reach 7 meters (23 feet) in height. They have 5-6 very marked ribs. The epidermis is bluish green in the upper part of the plant. The areolas appear on the prominences of the stems and have 5-9 radial awl-shaped spines and 1-4 central spines. The spines are reddish at first, then black, and finally turn gray with a dark tip. The flowers can measure 9 cm (3.5") in length and are white inside and greenish outside. They bloom in the second half of summer. In Mexico the fruits are consumed. They are used in pots for patios and terraces, as isolated specimens and in small groups in cactus and succulent gardens. Stenocereus pruinosus needs full sun exposure as an adult; when they are young they prefer a semi-shadow exposure. They should not be exposed to temperatures below 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a mixture, in equal parts, of coarse sand and leaf mulch. They are very resistant to drought; water moderately (every 15-20 days) waiting for the soil to be completely dry. In winter do not water. They do not need pruning or fertilizers. They are resistant plants to the habitual plagues and diseases but sensitive to the excess of irrigation. They are propagated by stem cuttings in spring or summer and from seeds sown in early spring. |
Images of the cactus Stenocereus pruinosus or Gray Ghost Organ Pipe |
 Stenocereus pruinosus  Stenocereus pruinosus |