Monstrose apple cactus is a moderately fast-growing ornamental plant. This has an intriguingly different look due to its irregular tree-like branching structure with a cylindrical stem. And it becomes a great piece of beauty when grown up properly.
I am a cacti lover and always trying to enrich my collection. These plants are not popular in my country and thus it always takes lots of efforts to find an uncommon one. All you can find here is golden barrel cacti! Last Friday I made an errand to the famous nursery in our capital. Fortunately, the quest was successful. I found the perfect and ugliest cactus of my life.
It looked so exotic plus ghostly that my wife was not ready to take it home. Moreover, the gardener hiked its price unreasonably seeing my too much interest for it! How rude! However, I was stubbornly determined about buying it. I started typical bargaining with the seller to fix a reasonable price. But he seemed to be very firm to sell it for a high price. I even tried to convince him that none will buy this ugly cactus, so he should sell it to me before it dies. But he was futile to me and started counting stars looking at the bright sunny sky! Can you believe it?
Anyway, then I tried to locate my wife who was busy finding floral plants. When found her I couldn’t resist my dismay and told her that I failed to purchase the lovely and ugly cactus due to high price. She smiled because I looked so miserable. However, at last, she broke her hard stance and told me that she would like to have a chat with the seller. She went alone and returned with the plant by paying half the price that the moron demanded from me! Sometimes women are more capable than men, I guess.
Anyway, who cares, I was able to return home with the new member. But like every time, I was unaware of its name or genus. So, resorted to the internet and got its name and different information regarding taking care of it. And below I am going to share these information for your ready reference.
About this plant
Monstrose apple cactus is a very sought-after cactus for many cactus enthusiasts. It is notorious for its multi-branched candelabra shape and pointed spines. It grows mainly in southern humid to subhumid forests. Over time this cactus grows numerous large stems. It also blooms large tubular white nocturnal flowers. Monstrose apple cactus is also cultivated for its red apple-like fruits which have a taste similar to dragon fruit.
When grown in the ground, this cactus just grows pretty fast and looks like a big tree with branches. But when confined in the container, its growth rate is very slow.
Tips for the caring of Monstrose Apple Cactus
Can’t resist saying that cacti grow really well when they are deprived of regular care. Our subject cactus is not an exception in this respect. Monstrose Apple Cactus requires very little care. However, this plant won’t survive or thrive well if the following requirements are not met. Let’s learn in detail about caring this particular cactus properly:
Water Requirements
It is a very drought tolerant cactus. Watering thoroughly twice in a week will be fine. However, if the weather is too warm and the soil is very quick draining then you should irrigate the cactus once in a week. But you will need to follow a different strategy if you like to grow it in a container. In such a case, inspect the soil dryness regularly and water whenever the soil loses adequate moisture.
Water regularly as per the above instruction through the early spring to the late summer, which is its growing season. The plant is dormant during the winter so it must be kept as dry as it is possible. During this state, add only a bit of water if the plant’s body starts getting too dehydrated.
Lighting Requirements
Monstrose Apple Cactus grows well under the direct sunlight. Dramatically speaking, it is a worshipper of sunlight! However, when kept as an indoor plant it can grow under partial sunlight beside the window. But, as mentioned earlier, you can’t expect a fast growth rate in such an instance. But do not put your newly planted cactus under the direct sunlight all in a sudden to avoid sunburn. Always give it some time to adapt to the condition.
Potting & Soil
It likes dryness, so it won’t be happy if the water is accumulated around its roots. If it stands around water for a prolonged period then root rotting will occur. Therefore, to ensure its regular growth and sound health the substrate must fulfill certain criteria.
The cactus must be planted in well-drained sandy soil. Alternatively, the use of ½ of regular disinfected garden soil mixed with ½ of crushed gravel or coarse sand will also be fine.
While choosing containers try to opt the plastic ones as they will retain less moisture and ensure dryness of the soil. But the container must have adequate holes for easy water discharge.
The tub size doesn’t matter; cacti are comfortable growing root bounded. But I’ll have to repeat, the plant will remain in miniature shape.
Cold Tolerance
Monstrose Apple Cactus can withstand a temperature between 20° to 30°F (-7° to -1°C). If planted in a container then it would be wise to shift it indoors to protect from the frost. The young or miniature version of Monstrose Apple Cactus is not at all frost tolerant. The young plants in the outdoor must be given extra protection against frost attack.
Propagation
This cactus can be propagated either from seed or stem cuttings. But propagating from seed is much harder than the cuttings method. While propagating from cuttings, leave the cuttings for a week or two to dry/heal the wounds before placing them in peat-based compost. For the first few years take good care of the plant which includes proper irrigation and protection from frost attack and sunburn.
Toxicity
Monstrose Apple Cactus and its fruit are not toxic either to humans or animals.
Quick Facts
- Common Name: Monstrose Apple Cactus
- Category: Cactus/ succulent
- Scientific Name: Cereus Peruvianus Monstrose (?)
- Synonyms: Synonyms: Cereus peruvianus fa. monstrose ‘Rojo’, Andes Organ Pipe, Hedge Cactus, Queen of the Night, Hildmann’s Cereus, Cereus hildmannianus, Cereus uruguayanus, Cereus repandus, Stenocereus peruvianus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Genus: Cereus
- Origin: NA
- Life Span: Perennial
- Growth Rate: Slower
- Growing Season: Early spring to late summer
- Blooming Time: Spring
- Flower Color: White
- Fruits: Produces edible fruits
- Dormant Time: Winter
- Height: 15-20’
- Width: 10-15’
- Exposure: Full to partial sun
- Drought Tolerant: Yes
- Water Needs: Very low
- Frost Tolerant: No (until well-established)
- Toxicity: None
- Humidity: Prefers warm temperature
- Temperature: Prefers dry climate
- Propagation: Seed or stem cuttings
- Planting Time: Spring / Summer
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