Cereus forbesii is endemic to Argentina (Catamarca, Chaco, Córdoba, Formosa, norte de San Luis, Jujuy, La Rioja, Salta y Santa Fe), Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz y Tarija), and Paraguay. They grows at altitudes from 500 to 2000 m above sea level...
Cereus forbesii also called as Cereus validus, Piptanthocereus forbesii, is a species of the genus Cereus. This species was described by Carl Friedrich Förster in 1846.
IDENTIFY CEREUS FORBESII
Cereus forbesii is endemic to Argentina (Catamarca, Chaco, Córdoba, Formosa, Norte de San Luis, Jujuy, La Rioja, Salta y Santa Fe), Bolivia (Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz y Tarija), and Paraguay. They grows at altitudes from 500 to 2000 m above sea level in various conditions: in arid plains, in forests, on hills and along the boundaries of salt flats in Chaco.
It is a strongly branched shrub or tree-like cactus, which can reach 2 meters (sometimes 7 or more), and in diameter 40 cm, with a bluish-green cylindrical pillar-shaped, 5 to 10 cm in thickness stem covered with long spines, that has 4-8 flat, obtuse, with a height of 20-25 mm ribs, and small, 4-5 mm in diameter, round, with a rare short yellowish-white coat, which eventually acquires a gray or blackish color areoles.
This cactus blooms in spring and early summer, with large funnel-shaped, white or pinkish-white inside and reddish outside flowers. The flowers are 16.5-20 cm long and 8-12 cm in diameter. Outer petals reddish with a green central vein, internal white or pinkish. Stamen filaments white, with a greenish tinge at the base. Anthers are dark brown or blackish. Pollen is cream colored. Pestle green below, white top, up to 10 cm long. Stigma of a pistil up to 2 cm long, with 16-20 lobes. The fruits are large, juicy. Mature fruits of red color with a bluish coating, flesh lilac. The seeds are small, black.
CEREUS FORBESII CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
A young Cereus forbesii should be lightly shaded, then when they are mature, full sun is recommended, they needs bright light all year round. In the spring, after a period of rest, it is not necessary to expose the plant to a test with a sharp difference in illumination. It is better to accustom it to the sun's rays gradually. If immediately after wintering put the pot in an unsuitable place, burns on the stem are inevitable.
Temperature:
This cactus does not tolerate low temperatures, at -2 ° C it can die. In the summer, you can take this cactus to the balcony. Wintering should be cool and dry. The optimum temperature in winter is 10-12 ° C.
Substrate and growing media:
This species should be planted in a well-drained soil mixture. Because the cactus grows quickly and its roots need a lot of space, then the repotting should be done every two years or when the plant has outgrown the pot.
Watering:
In summer, Cereus forbesii should be watered regularly, but the soil should dry completely between waterings. In autumn, it is systematically shortened, slowly preparing for a dry winter. The cactus is resistant to drought, but periodic spraying, especially in hot weather, will benefit. In winter, the plant is almost not watered.
Grow from seeds:
Cactus seedlings are very fragile on the first weeks and survival depends on how they are treated on that crucial stage; out of 100 of seeds in the wild only a few survive to an adult plant to produce seeds and start the cycle again. Obtaining a high percentage of adult plants from a batch of seedlings, depends on how each collector takes care of their seedlings.
Water for seedlings is the most important item to keep them growing for first few weeks. Generally, most seedlings, which are 1 week old will die after 3 days of dryness. 2 month-old seedlings can survive for 1 week if allowed to dry. 6 month-old seedlings can survive for 2 months if allowed to dry. 1 year-old seedlings can survive for 5 months if allowed to dry.
Planting instructions for 4”pot kit: First, clean with water and chlorine plastic pot, clear cover and label and wash with fresh water. Second, the soil can be sterilized for 2 hours at 120º C in an oven or a microwave but can be used without sterilization. Third, fill the pot with soil and spray with distilled, reverse osmosis or pure rainwater to let soil flatten at the top. Fourth, place to 1/8 to 1/4 inch layer of Dyna Rock or crushed sea shell extra fine on top to cover the soil making a layer between soil and seeds. Fifth, place seeds over the Dyna Rock and fine spray water the seeds well and cover with a clearcover.
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