Cleistocactus samaipatanus
A tall, narrow, columnar cactus, with light green stems, bearing 14 – 17 ribs and stiff pale yellow spines 0.5 – 3 cm long. Mature plants branch freely from the base, producing several upright stems to 1.5 m high, with each stem up to 5 cm in diameter. The flowers are brilliant red, to 5 cm (2 in) long and 2.5 cm (1 in) wide. The reddish fruits are small and spherical, to 1cm long and wide, bearing dense white and brown hairs
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Red | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Cleistocactus are erect columnar cacti with ribbed, eventually branched, cylindrical stems bearing dense spines and tubular flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Bolivia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in full light. Provide low humidity. Water freely when in growth and keep completely dry at other times. Apply a dilute low nitrogen fertilizer fortnightly during late spring and summer
Propagation
Propagate by seed or stem cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly and mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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