Aporocactus
Family: Cactaceae
Habitat: Mexico
Cultivation: For good flowering it is essential to respect the winter’s rest of the plant, suspending the watering and keeping it in a cool and sheltered place.
Curiosity: Aporocactus in general, and A. Flagelliformis in particular are also called “mouse tail” for the shape of the stem, ending and tend to creep.
APOROCACTUS KEY FEATURES
Plants of the genus Aporocactus are cacti characterized by the numerous, long stems that generally have creeping lobe that descend softly from the vases, creating a wonderful waterfall effect. Each stem is covered with very light ribs, so that the appearance is almost as regular cylinders. The thorns are small, numerous, whitish and mostly soft. The flowers are large, with many long and narrow petals that open between May and July. They are brightly colored, usually pink, fuchsia or red, with yellow stamens that stand out in the center.As we will see at the next point, most of these cactacees are now part of the Disocactus category.
VARIETIES AND TYPES
This genre today includes a single species:
- Aporocactus moennighoffii
Because most of this kind of cactacea have been brought into the Disocactus genus.
- Aporocactus conzattii
- A. flagelliformis
- A. flagriformis
- A. leptophis
- A. martianus
TIPS FOR CULTIVATION
Aporocactus is often cultivated in pots to create beautiful effects with its falling branches. Here are our cultivation tips:
- EXPOSURE: Choose a position in the sun to get the best crop results.
- TEMPERATURE: They can withstand temperatures up to 5 ° C. During winter it is therefore preferable to move them to a sheltered place.
- WATERING: Water moderately in spring and summer: 1-2 times a week, depending on the temperature, taking care that the soil is well dry between the watering. You will see if the plant thirsts from the loss of turgor of the stems. Suspend entirely in winter.
- SOIL: The soil must be extremely light, rich in sand or lapillo. A standard ground for cactacea, mixed with a bit of extra sand, will be perfect.
- CONCIMATION: At the beginning of spring concime with a specific product for cactacea.
- REPOT: Every 1-2 years, be careful not to damage the thin stems.
- REPRODUCTION: The easiest method for reproduction of Aporocactus is the branch cuttings. Cut the apex of the stems (5-10 cm in length) and immerse them in a very sandy soil, taking care to let the wound dry.
