Cereus jamakaru ‘Cuddly Cactus’

Synonyms:

No synonyms are recorded for this cultivar name.

Habitat:

Cereus jamakaru ‘Cuddly Cactus’ is a nursery cultivar and can’t be found in nature. Its parent-species, Cereus jamakaru, is instead native to Central and South America, tropical and subtropical belts of Africa and Asia.

Description:

The ‘Cuddly Cactus’ is a type of spineless, evergreen, and needle-free succulent tree. It is a variety of the Cereus jamakaru species and is native to central and eastern Brazil. The name “Cuddly Cactus” reflects its adorable and approachable appearance, making it suitable for households with children and pets, as there are no needles to worry about. The regular species, Cereus jamakaru, is a light green columnar cactus, with 7-8 pronounced ribs with wavy, super-decorative margins. The radial and central spines (up to 10-15 cm long) are yellow initially and then gray. The main difference between C. jamakaru and the variety ‘Cuddly Cactus’ lays in the absence of the spines, replaced by white, small areoles covered in an extremely short, white hair. Also, the ‘Cuddly Cactus’ is usually equipped with fewer ribs (often 5), more pronounced than the ones of the regular Cereus jamakaru, so much that seen from above, the stem is star-shaped. Flowers are large, white or pink in color and appear only on mature plants. The ‘Cuddly Cactus’ comes, usually, in the form of an unbranched specimen, that seems like embedded in the substrate.

Cultivation:

Growing a healthy and bright Cuddly Cactus requires careful attention to several important factors, including light, water, soil, and fertilizer. Firstly, the plant requires plenty of bright light to grow, so it’s best to place it near a sunny window. If you don’t have a spot that gets enough natural light, you can supplement with grow lights, but make sure to avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause sunburn to the plant. When it comes to watering, one of the most common mistakes made with cacti is overwatering. As a succulent, Cuddly Cactus stores water in its leaves and stems, so it’s best to only water it once every two weeks. Before watering, always check the soil and if it’s still moist from the last watering, wait a few more days before watering again. When you do water, make sure to soak the soil completely and then allow it to drain fully, as sitting in water can lead to root rot. The plant also needs well-draining soil to thrive, so if your pot doesn’t have drainage holes, be sure to add rocks or gravel to the bottom before adding the potting mix. Lastly, fertilizer is not essential for this plant, but for better growth, you can fertilize once a month with a diluted solution of half-strength liquid fertilizer specifically designed for succulents or cacti. Whether you use organic or synthetic fertilizer is up to you, but moderation is key to avoid harming the plant.

Propagation:

The Cereus repandus plant can be propagated through either cuttings or seeds. If opting for cuttings, it’s best to take them in the spring and allow them to dry slightly before planting. On the other hand, if planting seeds, make sure to sow them in a moist cactus substrate mixture.

Curiosity:

The etymology of the name “Cereus jamakaru” is not well-known, as this name does not appear to be a widely used or well-documented name for any particular species of cactus. The word “Cereus” is a genus name for a group of cacti that includes many species of large, columnar cacti and refers to their peculiar habit, branched in a typical arrangement that makes them look like a candelabra. The second part of the name, “jamakaru,” is not a recognized botanical term and may have been invented for a particular cultivar or variety of cactus.

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

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