Big cacti. The largest cacti What is the largest cactus? What is the largest cactus in the world

Perhaps the most interesting and eye-catching among other plants is the cactus. Every year, cacti attract more and more people, primarily due to their unusual appearance and great variety. Now the whole world is full of cactus artists who collect entire collections at home. From exotic - cacti have long turned into home and indoor plants. In the beginning, they appeared in botanical gardens, and from the 50s, they began to move to our window sills and tables.

In this article you can get acquainted not only with the varieties of cacti , but also with their names and photographs. Of course, it is impossible to tell about all of them, since today there are over 3,000 species, so we will tell you about the most interesting of them.

It is also worth noting that cacti are not only plants, but also food. Since ancient times, they have been used in various religious ceremonies, and today, the fruits and stems of cacti can be found in the Mexican market. Also, the plant was used for medical purposes, dyes were made from it, and even used as a building material. And, of course, the well-known tequila is produced from agave juice (a type of cactus).

Popular representatives of home cacti

As mentioned above, today there are a huge number of varieties of cacti. Here are just a few of them:

flat
Round
without thorns
blooming
Stretched, etc.

You can list for a long time, but the main thing is that, for example, among the same flat cacti, there will be more than a dozen types to choose from, depending on the store. Therefore, in order not to write about everyone in a row, we have chosen the 15 most interesting and popular types of cacti, of course, with names and photos. Perhaps some of them are already known to you and are growing in your house in a pot, but, nevertheless, everyone will find something new for themselves. Let's start!

queen of the night Selenicereus grandiflorus)

Notable primarily for its beautiful and large flower, with a very strong and pleasant aroma. Large, the flower is not called in vain, because in the open state, its diameter can reach 30 cm.
to admire and enjoy this extraordinary beauty, you can only at night, when the flower blooms. But remember that if you miss this moment, then the next time you have to wait a year, because the cactus blooms for only one night. However, this does not scare the cacti-lovers to have this copy at home. By the way, if your city has a greenhouse with the Queen of the Night, then you can find out when it will bloom and come to admire this beauty.

Cactus queen of the night

Mammillaria)

The most popular and common type of cactus that is grown at home. This species has several varieties, and the cactus itself does not need special care. The most important thing is a well-lit place and not too frequent watering, and you also need to make sure that pests do not appear. If you properly maintain the plant, then in the summer, the cactus will bloom and give you its beautiful flowers. Read more about the care and common types of Mammillaria

prickly pear ( Opuntia)

This family of cacti can safely be called the largest, as it has over 200 different species. The cacti themselves have flat appearance and a large number of spines. They grow in different ways - either spread on the ground, or reach up. Now, representatives of this species grow almost all over the world - from Canada to the Crimea. By the way, if in your region, the temperature in winter does not drop below 10 degrees, then you can find frost-resistant varieties and plant them, for example, in your garden. It is worth noting that in addition to beautiful flowers, the cactus can be eaten, but this is at your discretion. Read more about popular Opuntia species and care

prickly pear cactus

Euphorbia ( Euphorbia)

The flower was nicknamed so because of the milky viscous liquid that is released when the leaves or stems are broken. In no case, do not try to taste this liquid, because it is poisonous. Since ancient times, arrows have been impregnated with milkweed, and in Africa it is still used when fishing. The stems of the cactus are triangular in shape, and in addition to a large number of thorns, it grows tall. The content of the cactus is no different from other species, the only thing, because of its poisonous characteristics, it is better to keep it away from children. Read more about popular types of milkweed and care

cactus spurge

Gruzoni ( Echinocactus grusoniii)

Initially, appearance resembles a ball, but as it grows, more mature plants take on a shape more like a barrel. Also, Gruzoni cacti are able to reach impressive sizes - up to 1 meter, both in length and in width. Throughout the plant, yellow spines are very abundant, which form a “cap” at the top. Because of this, people nicknamed the cactus "Golden Ball". Like many other cacti, Gruzoni blooms, but the first flowers can only be seen in those specimens that are over 20 years old.

Gruzoni cactus

Echinopsis)

No less frequent guest on the windowsills. V early age, it looks like a small ball, but as it “growing up”, the plant stretches and, depending on the variety, can grow up to 2.5 meters. Echinopsis bloom usually begins in early summer. The older the plant, the more flowers it produces. The flowers themselves look like a bell and live up to 3 days. Cacti of this species are easy to care for, therefore, very often beginner gardeners choose them. Read more about popular types and care

Echinopsis cactus

Schlumberger ( Shhlumbergera) or zygocactus( Zygocactus) - Decembrist

This species has many names. It originally came from the forests of Brazil and was called Schlumbergera or Zygocactus there. But perhaps the most famous for him was the name Decembrist. This species is also quite popular around the world, primarily due to its beautiful flowers that begin to bloom with the first month of winter - hence the name. The Decembrist cactus has an unusual shape, it is more sprawling and can grow up to 1.5 meters wide. It is worth noting that, unlike other representatives, the cactus does not have thorns and loves frequent watering, but the sun does not tolerate very well. Read more about popular types and care

Schlumbergera

Cereus)

In their natural habitat, representatives of this genus are able to grow to fantastic sizes - 10 meters or more! In addition to its impressive size, the Cereus cactus (Cereus - a wax candle) is also a long-liver among its brethren. At home, the most common is the Peruvian variety, which grows 50-60 cm in height, but there have been cases when the plant reached the mark of 1 meter. During the flowering period, it throws out large white flowers, but, unfortunately, they begin to fade the very next day. The flowering itself, most often begins at the end of spring or early summer, although it is also possible in autumn, which happens much less often. Care for Cereus is the same as for other types of cacti. Read more about popular types and care

Cereus cactus

Epiphyllum)

This species differs from other cacti in that it is leaf-shaped. It is often called a cactus with leaves, probably because of the name Epiphyllum, because from Latin it is translated as: eri - from above, phyllum - leaf. In most cases, the plant is planted in a hanging pot so that it hangs its leaves down. Especially beautiful, the Epiphyllum cactus looks during the flowering period, and the flowers themselves, depending on the variety, can be different color and reach 35 cm in length. As for the size of the cactus itself, it usually grows up to one meter in height. It should not be watered too often, but it should be protected from direct sunlight, although the plant loves light. Read more about popular types and care

Cactus Epiphyllum

Gymnocalycium ( Gymnocalycium)

The cactus is shaped like a ball, which is why it is often called a round cactus. However, picking up this “ball” will not work, because it is very tightly protected by large thorns. However, it is not uncommon to find it in apartments or greenhouses. Plants grow up to 25-30 cm, and begin to bloom in the 3rd year. The flowers themselves can be of different colors, and last up to 7 days, after which they begin to crumble. The cactus is not particularly demanding for care, so it will not cause problems. Read more about popular types and care

Cactus Gymnocalycium

Aporocactus Martius ( Aporocactus martianus)

This type, attracts primarily with its unusualness. Due to the fact that many round prickly stalks grow from the pot, this cactus was popularly called the “rat tail” or “snake cactus”, as you like. Aporocactus Martius grows up to 1 meter in length. The flowering period is spring, and all 3 months. The flowers are medium, there are even large, dark pink. With age, the plant is transplanted into a hanging pot, from where it spreads its "tentacles". Read more about popular types and care for them.

Aporocactus Martius

Rebutia ( Rebutia)

Adult plants of this species, in diameter, do not exceed 10 cm, and the smallest variety of cactus has 5 cm at all. But, despite its not too large size, this “baby” blooms very beautifully, and the flowers themselves are very large. They can be any color, it all depends on the variety. If we talk about the flowering period, then this is the beginning-middle of spring, but there have been cases of repeated flowering in the fall. The Rebutia cactus has long settled on the windowsills of the inhabitants of our country, although Argentina is considered its homeland.

Lophophora ( Lophophora) - Peyote

Also known to some under the name Peyote, it is notable not for its appearance and not even for flowers, but for juice. It's all about him chemical composition. Since ancient times, the juice of this cactus was taken in small quantities as a medicine, but over time, people realized that if you increase the dosage, you can catch a "high". It is for these reasons that in many countries this species is banned. The cactus itself is ball-shaped and grows up to a maximum of 20 cm in diameter. Instead of the usual thorns, the cactus has fluffy tufts of hair, and in the summer it will give you beautiful flowers, from white to almost red.

Lophophora cactus

Mix colored cacti

If you do not know which cactus to choose, you can purchase a mix set. More and more often today in flower shops there are just such sets. They consist of several types of cacti, so before buying, ask which ones, so it will be easier for you to find information about them. Mix sets of colored cacti will be a great start for beginner cactus growers and may well complement an existing collection. Most importantly, observe the conditions of detention for each species, and then, during the flowering period, they will give you a chic bouquet.

It is worth talking a little about others, no less interesting views:

colorful cacti

Among the long cacti, several types can also be distinguished. The first is Carnegia giant. This cactus grows up to 15 meters, but on quick result do not hope. Usually, to grow up to 2-3 meters, the plant needs more than 30 years! Another species is Cereus. These cacti can grow even more - up to 20 meters.

Home blooming cacti photo

Wilcoxia

Quite often, this cactus can be seen in flower shops. With proper care, it will delight you with small colorful flowers every year in the spring.

Wilcoxia bloom

Rebutia

Another frequent guest, both on the shelves and in houses and apartments. Blooms from March to April. The flowers themselves are large, sometimes exceeding the size of the plant itself.

Rebutia bloom

We wrote about this cactus above, so we just recall that it blooms in summer, and the flowers that appear around the top of the cactus resemble a wreath. Read more about the care and common types of Mammillaria

Mammillaria bloom

frailei

Outwardly, this cactus is no different from others, but it is valued primarily for its large yellow flowers, which, although not very many, but they are very beautiful.

frailene bloom

One of the most common and popular flowering species. For beginners, usually a cactus throws out no more than 1 flower, while for experienced gardener, this number can approach 10! Read more about popular home types and care

Echinopsis bloom

Prickly pear

You can read about Opuntia above. One has only to recall that it blooms in the spring, it can be planted in open ground, and during the flowering period, the cactus will delight you with red or yellow flowers. Read more about popular types and care

prickly pear bloom

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Classification of cacti by group characteristics

All representatives can be divided into three groups:

Pereskievye;
prickly pear;
Cereus.

These species differ in structure. So, Peresciaceae have round stems and flat leaves. which are covered with straight spines. often bloom solitary flowers. Differs in edible fruits.

Opuntia cacti are distinguished by small leaves covered with thorns.. In addition to spines, they also have glochidia. Glochidia are the modified leaves of a plant. Flowering large. The colors are varied. The fruits are mostly edible.

Cereus leaves and glochidia are absent. This is the largest family, which includes a variety of species. In some representatives, the fruits are edible. In general, Cereus cacti prefer dry areas.

cactus bloom

All varieties bloom, but not every representative will please with their flowering at home. In order for the culture to bloom, you will need to create the right conditions for it..

Flowering depends on the variety. There are representatives with small flowers (Mammillaria). And in other species - large sizes. For example, this applies to Echinopsis. The size of its flower can reach 15 cm.

Flower color is varied: white, pink, red. So, for example, night flowers (that is, those that bloom at night) are distinguished by a pale color - white, cream or light pink. Daytime - can have almost any color. The exceptions are blue and black.

The main varieties and their names

All cacti can be conditionally divided into groups:

Room;
Forest;
Desert.

Indoor

Indoor cacti are called cacti that adapt to home growing conditions.

To the room can be attributed:

Echinocereus;
Notocactus otto;
Spurge;
Small-haired prickly pear;
Rebutia.

These species get along well in indoor conditions and bloom with proper care for them. Some may bloom in the first year of life, for example, some Mammillaria.

Forest

The most popular representatives of forest crops include:

Decembrist;

Decembrist and ripsadolipsis are similar in appearance. However, the petals of ripsalidopsis grow straight, not folded back. Coloring is red.

Epiphyllum has a not very neat shape. The specific epiphyllum is remarkable for flowers of red shades. However, many varieties with a variety of colors have been bred.

Decembrist different flowering in winter. This is a very common variety. It blooms with white, pink, purple and red flowers.

Also included in the forest:

Discocactus. It has round shape stem, blooms with a single white flower;
Prickly pear. It is remarkable not only for orange flowers, but also for edible fruits. Some of them have a pleasant taste and useful properties;
Pereskia;
melocactus.

Desert

The species of desert spiny should include:

Mammillaria;
Eriosice;
Echinocactus;
Echinocereus;
Rebutia.

Most representatives bloom indoors beautiful flowers . Some of them have the ability to bloom in the first year of life.

Determination of the type by external qualities

Growing a cactus but don't know what it's called? You can determine the variety by its external data.

blooming

All cacti bloom, but not all can bloom at home. Wherein flowering varies by variety.

They bloom mostly in small flowers. Possible colors: yellow and pink. There are several flowers, they may not open at the same time, but alternately.

Has many varieties. So flower colors are varied: white, yellow, red, hot pink. Blooms with numerous flowers.

Notable for the fact that only one flower blooms. However, it is large and yellow in color.

Decembrist or Schlumberer

Notable for the fact that blooms in winter time . They call it a Decembrist because it blooms on New Year's Eve. Flowering is large and has a red color.

cacti with leaves

In general, all representatives have leaves. However, they are represented by thorns. If we talk about cacti, which really there are leaves familiar to everyone, then you can call Pachypodium.

prickly pear have leaves in the form of elongated cakes, on which spines are located.

poinsettia is different large leaves light green in color with teeth on the edges.

Long

Cereus are considered the highest. The height of some representatives reaches 20 meters. At home, of course, they do not reach such heights. But they could, if the ceilings of the apartments did not interfere with them. Cereus is distinguished not only by its height, but also by its excellent flowering, large white with a creamy tint. In addition, they have an incredible aroma.

Up to 2 meters in height Euphorbia can grow.

Cactus with long needles

Long needles can boast Echinocactus (Echinopsis white-flowered), Carnegia, some varieties of Mammillaria, Ferocactus. This is far from a complete list.

Decorative

Most varieties differ decorative qualities. Both flowers and stems and leaves of this culture are decorative. Among the most commonly grown in the house are:

Mammillaria(differ in beautiful flowering);
Decembrist(distinguished by luxurious flowering in winter);
poinsettia(a type of milkweed, blooms beautifully large flowers);
spurge(all types of milkweed differ not only in decorative properties, but also in healing ones);
Pachypodium(very original representative with long leaves);
(decorative with long shoots and large flowers);
(culture with an original spherical stem with one large snow-white flower).

fluffy

Espostow called fluffy cactus. This is a culture of Perunian origin. This species is called fluffy because of the hairs that play a protective function. The height of this culture in room conditions does not exceed 70 cm, v natural conditions can grow up to 5 meters.

non-thorny cactus

to the cacti that do not have spines, include some types of Ariocarpus. This is an original culture with an unusual stem and a large single flower. It can also be attributed astrophytum Asterias. This species is distinguished by a beautiful and very large single flower in the form of a chamomile, which is located at the top of the stem.

Thus, in nature there is a huge variety of different cultures. All cacti differ in height, flowering, needles. Everyone can choose a plant to their liking. Cactus - the original culture with the most incredible flowering. What could be more interesting than a blooming cactus?

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General information about cacti

Cacti are a relatively young family of plants on our planet; they appeared at a time when mammals already reigned on earth. The homeland of cacti is South America, from where they settled throughout the Western Hemisphere. And thanks to migratory birds, some of their species came to Africa and Asia.

At their core, all cacti are succulents, that is, plants that can accumulate water in the stems in case of long periods of drought. A distinctive feature that distinguishes the cactus family is the presence of areoles in them - special modified branches that have the shape of kidneys. It is from the areoles that thorns, flowers and “children” grow in cacti, with the help of which cacti carry out vegetative propagation.

Cacti are truly unique plants. Even their photosynthesis goes differently than everything else flora: carbon dioxide for it is collected by the plant at night, and not during the day. This is due to the fact that during the day, in order to avoid moisture loss, the stomata of the cactus are closed.

The living conditions of cacti are the most extreme. Some of them live in desert regions with disastrous daily temperature fluctuations and very little rainfall. Others, on the contrary, live in conditions of exceptional humidity, capable of destroying all other plant species.

The appearance of cacti has always surprised flower growers: the appearance of the plant cannot be called attractive or friendly, but the flowers that appear on it from time to time can capture the imagination of any connoisseur.

cacti classification

From the point of view of biology, cacti are divided into 4 subfamilies and 11 tribes. However, cactus growers are not interested in such a division. They share cacti either in appearance, according to living conditions in their natural environment.

In appearance, cacti are:

The classification by habitat is simpler: cacti are divided into desert and forest. Such a division of these plants is purely practical in nature: in order not to refresh all 11 knees in memory, it is easier for a cactus grower to immediately point out its shape and “place of residence”, and it immediately becomes clear what he is dealing with.

However, in the bulk, these are plants whose roots practically do not come into contact with rich soils and organic matter, which they are forced to be content with, is very poor in nutrients. The shape of the leaves of tropical cacti is also very specific - these are long flattened shoots with thin short antennae instead of thorns.

If forest cacti are more or less similar to each other, then their desert relatives are represented by three types:

prickly pear

Not all cacti can be grown at home. Some representatives of this family simply will not be able to fit in a living room. In addition, there are poisonous cacti that can cause both allergic reactions and serious poisoning, so they better at home do not keep.

A separate category are plants used in traditional medicine indigenous people of Central and South America. Among them, there are both harmless antiseptics and very serious hallucinogens, containing up to 2% mescaline in their mass.

Consider the most popular types and varieties of cacti in home floriculture, the features of their cultivation and maintenance.

Types of home cacti

At home, cacti change their lifestyle and sometimes even their appearance. This is due to the ability of all succulents to adapt to environmental conditions. Most often, such a manifestation can occur imperceptibly for the owner, for example, decreases root system or there is a change in the growth rate of the flower.

In some cases, these lifestyle changes are reflected in the appearance of the cactus. As a rule, this does not lead to deterioration in the appearance of the flowers; sometimes due to these changes, their classification can be difficult.

Ariocarpus

Gymnocalyciums

Cleistocactus

Lophophora

Cephalocereus

Rhipsalis

Rebutia

notocactus

cactus care

As mentioned earlier, these plants require little to no care, as their living conditions are very harsh and cacti have adapted to survive in them. This does not mean that you can not follow the cactus at all, or ignore the conditions of its maintenance - our prickly pet will still have to provide some minimum of amenities.

Soil mixtures and pots for cacti.

The main requirement for the substrate in which cacti will be grown is the large particle size of which it consists. Cacti need air nourishment of the roots and free penetration of even minimal volumes of water from the surface, so there should be no obstacles for this.

In addition, the peculiarity of the root system, and indeed the entire metabolism of cacti, is such that these plants do not tolerate a large amount of organic matter (and sometimes simply nitrogen compounds) in the soil. Excessive intake of nitrogen causes stunting of the plant's cells, and the plant may die within a few days. Nitrogen, of course, is necessary for cacti, but its amount must be strictly limited.

The approximate composition of the mixture for growing cactus is as follows:

You can use a simpler composition:

Sometimes you can add a little fertilizer to the substrate. Superphosphate or potassium nitrate is well suited for this purpose (a teaspoon per 2-2.5 liter pot). When using superphosphate, a teaspoon of calcium carbonate is also added.

The volume of the pot in which it is planned to grow a cactus must exactly match the volume of the straightened root system of the cactus. If there is too much free space in the pot, the cactus will not grow until it forms a root system sufficient for the pot. With a small amount of free space, the root system of the cactus will begin to die off, which will also negatively affect the growth of the prickly pet.

It should be understood that not the entire volume of the pot will be used for soil. About a quarter of the bottom of the pot will be occupied by drainage (usually made of expanded clay or large gravel). And in the upper part of the pot there will be a so-called powder - a layer of small gravel or pebbles, completely covering the soil from above.

Sometimes ordinary sand is used as a powder. The total amount of drainage and powder in a pot can take up to half of its volume.

Watering and spraying issues

Depending on the natural conditions of the life of a cactus, the conditions for its watering also differ. Basically, this refers to the amount of water applied under the cactus and the frequency of watering. These parameters depend not so much on the type of cactus, but on the climatic conditions in the area of \u200b\u200bits growth.

It is due to the fact that many cacti grow in similar natural conditions that it is allowed to grow several cacti of various types in one pot at once. In addition, there general rules, which are applicable to all plants, regardless of their conditions of detention or "native" climate.

All cacti need watering with settled water (without chlorine and impurities), which has room temperature. Of course, melt water is best suited for watering these plants, but few people will collect it.

Watering cacti or in the usual way, from above, or using a pallet. It is believed that watering with a cactus tray is more desirable because it does not destroy the soil structure and does not damage the root system. However, most cacti growers prefer watering from above.

In this case, a mistake is often made, as a result of which water gets on the cactus stem. This is not entirely correct, since water should only get to the cactus in the form of a finely dispersed suspension in the air. Therefore, watering must be done by directing the stream of water not in the center of the pot, but at the edges.

Cacti love spraying, because in natural conditions they are covered every morning with small droplets of moisture that fall on them in the form of dew. In this case, a spray gun is used that can create the smallest droplets of water. Dew temperatures are usually less than air temperature, however, at home, it is better to spray cacti with warm water, about 30-35 ° C.

Cactus transplant

Transplanting cacti is much easier than transplanting any other plants. Firstly, because cacti are more hardy, and secondly, since the substrate has a large fraction, the root system of the plant is easier to get rid of it.

Before transplanting, it is necessary not to water the cactus for at least a week. In this case, the substrate will dry out enough, it will become lighter and removing it from the pot will not be any particular problem. In order not to damage your hands with cactus thorns, you can use various devices - from gloves to specially made tapes.

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Our planet is rich in a wide variety of plants. Each geographic area has its own characteristics that are unique to this territory. Perhaps one of the most interesting in the world are the expanses of Mexico, as well as the US states of California and Arizona. This is where the family lives world's largest cacti- Giant cereus (Cereus giganteus) led by its largest representative.

1 The name of this giant is the California giant.

It is the symbol of the state of Arizona and has the shape of a huge candelabra and is considered the largest cactus in the world.

2 Lateral branches begin to grow after 70 years

When the cactus reaches the age of 70, its first side branches are just beginning to appear.

3 Cereus giant - the slowest growing plant

For the first ten years of life, it grows by only 2 cm.

4 Active growth begins after 30 years of age.

The mark of 30 years is only a quarter of the life of the giant cereus, after reaching this age, the active growth of the cactus begins.

He reaches this mark quite easily, but in subsequent years, quite a lot of dangers appear in their lives.

With its growth, the cactus has a huge weight - which can range from 6-10 tons.

If you take this cactus and put it through a press, you can squeeze out about two tons of liquid. Thanks to this ability, the cactus easily tolerates high temperatures.

8 Home for the homeless

Despite the not very busy life in the Mexican desert, nevertheless, the cactus is home to many animals - owls, woodpeckers, snakes, mice, etc.

9 Hungry abyss will not give

Cereus giant is a fruitful plant. It grows fleshy bright berries, which are a valuable food product. It is worth noting that local residents make an alcoholic drink from cactus juice, the taste of which is vaguely reminiscent of moonshine.

10 It even blooms!

The first flowers on a cactus appear only after 50 years of his life.

Video: Most big cactus
Huge cacti in Mexico

The largest cactus in the greenhouse:

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Orchid flower: description, characteristics and photo.

Orchid flowers make up one of the largest plant families, the main part of which in nature are perennial herbs. The shrub form and woody vines are less common. The size of orchids can vary from a few centimeters, although some species grow up to 35 meters in height.

The roots of the epiphyte orchid are extremely important organs, since they perform many essential functions. Firstly, with their help, orchids are attached to the substrate, which allows them to maintain an upright position. Secondly, the roots are actively involved in photosynthesis, sharing this function with the leaves. Thirdly, with the help of the root system, orchid flowers absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and the bark of the plants they live on.

Another, smaller part of orchids are lithophytes growing on rocks and stony rocks. Ground orchids make up the middle-sized group. Both types are endowed with underground rhizomes or tubers.

The green stem of an orchid can be long or short, creeping or erect. The leaves are simple, alternate, each plant may have one or more of them.

Orchid flowers of the most diverse colors and sizes form 2 types of inflorescences: a simple spike with a single arrangement of flowers or a simple brush with several flowers on pedicels growing along the stem.

The orchid flower belongs to insect pollinated plants, and the pollination mechanisms of each species are sometimes unusual and very diverse. Shoe orchids, which have a “shoe-shaped” flower structure, are endowed with a special trap for pollinating insects.

Orchids have sticky legs, the flowers of this orchid imitate the smell of female bees, thereby attracting males.

Tropical orchid flowers stupefy insects with an unusual aroma, while other species shoot pollen towards the pollinating insect.

The fruit of an orchid is a dry box containing up to 4 million microscopic seeds, which is a kind of productivity record among flowering plants.

The life expectancy of orchids in natural conditions is individual, depends on many factors and favorable conditions may be 100 years. In greenhouse conditions, many types of orchids live up to 70 years.

The plant world often amazes with the strange beauty and wonders of pure water. All plants that are different sizes and shapes are unique in their own way, yet cacti are among the most amazing in the world. Protected by an outer layer of thorns, cacti can endure the harshest and most unfavorable conditions. Cacti, which rely on their incredible ability to retain water as well as their thick skin to prevent water loss, are hidden deep in the driest deserts and even on the tops of some mountains. Although cacti are certainly unique among other plants, some of them can safely be called strange - even by cactus standards.

10. Agave or American Aloe (Agave Cactus)

Leuchtenbergia principis, known as the agave, is unique because of the straight, finger-like shoots that radiate from the main stem. These "fingers" end in small clusters of thorns, which in older plants can grow into tangled, protective cobwebs at the top of the plant. Agave starts growing like any normal cactus seedling and soon develops its offshoots. As the plant grows, these appendages develop into fleshy, photosynthetic "fingers". Once the shoots have formed, the agave retains its shape and simply becomes wider and stronger, remaining one plant. This is unusual because most cacti either start producing small offspring at some point, or grow some kind of "arm" in the case of tall plants.

9. Ariocarpus Fissuratus ("Living Stones")

Cacti are associated with thorns, but some species do not have thorns or lose them once they reach adulthood. Ariocarpus Fissuratus is an incredibly slow growing example of a thornless cactus. Some of them take up to 50 years to reach 10-12 centimeters in diameter. As a seedling, these plants have very small, soft spines that grow from points in its geophyte structure. As the plant grows, these thorns fall off and new ones do not grow to replace the original set. The result is a strange-looking defenseless plant, which in itself seems counterintuitive for plant health. Due to the lack of protection, Ariocarpus Fissuratus grows in hard-to-reach places, such as cracks and releases small amounts of psychoactive substances so as not to be eaten by animals.

8. Astrophytum Head of Medusa (Astrophytum caput-medusae)

The uniquely shaped Astrophytum Medusa Head grows, as its name suggests, like the snake hair of a jellyfish. The recently discovered Astrophytum jellyfish head was originally classified as a separate category before it was discovered that its flowers, as well as the small tufts of soft wool-like hairs found near its stem, were identical to the flowers and hairs of Astrophytum. This secured a place for him in the genus Astrophytum. Astrophytum jellyfish head seeds are among the largest - from 3 to 6 millimeters in diameter. The flowers of this cactus are also unusually beautiful - bright yellow with a red center.

7. Lophophora Williams or Peyote (Peyote)

One of the most well known and closely monitored cacti is Lophophora williamsii, also known as peyote. It is illegal to grow or possess, as peyote is known for its powerful psychedelic effects, achieved through high concentrations of mescaline. Its use is officially allowed only to members of Indian tribes, since peyote for a long time was a central aspect of Indian rituals. According to the tribes, the use of peyote often helps to understand spirits and other incorporeal entities...

6. Discocactus (Discocactus horstii)

As the discocactus matures, it develops a densely spiked "cephaly" formation from which large white flowers emerge and bloom. Although discocactus is green in the early stages of growth, over time it acquires a reddish hue. Although it looks like an ordinary desert cactus on initial stages growth, discocactus grow on high ground, approximately at an altitude of 304 meters above sea level. Discocacti are very difficult to grow due to the fact that they start to rot if over watered or dry out if left without water for a shorter period of time than normal cacti can withstand.

5. Wavy Hylocereus (Hylocereus undatus)

When it comes to flowers, cacti are not the first thing that comes to mind, even though cactus flowers can be large and beautiful. The length of the Hylocereus wavy flower can exceed 35 centimeters, and the diameter is 23 centimeters. Hylocereus wavy blooms only at night, each flower opens only once before it sheds its seeds and either becomes a pitahaya or falls off and dies. The flowers give off an extremely potent vanilla scent that can be unbearable when inhaled directly.

4. Pereskiopsis spathulata

Some cacti are in a rather primitive state, and they have both leaves and thorns. Pereskiopsis spathulata is one of them: its small spines, glochidia, and leaves grow from the same place. Tropical and very fast growing in nature, Pereskiopsis spathulata is often used as a graft base to speed up the growth process of seedlings of slow growing species. Although this plant is capable of flowering, it is very rare to find Pereskiopsis spathulata grown for its appearance or flowers. Most specimens are simply cuttings that have taken root from the mother plant, resulting in numerous clones that can also be cut and replanted.

3. Turbinicarpus underground (Turbinicarpus subterraneus)

When we think about cacti, we think about tall plants with succulent stems that are covered with thorns, but (as this list has already shown) this is not always true. In the case of the underground turbinicarpus, the real surprise lies beneath the surface of the earth. The small, bat-shaped heads are nourished by knobby roots that are often the same size as the stems on the surface. This root allows the underground turbinicarpus to survive long periods of drought, storing large volumes of water. Being underground also allows it to be cold hardy enough to withstand short periods of low temperatures as low as -4°C.

2. Obregonia (Atrichoke Cactus)

Obregonia is a separate type of cactus, also known as the artichoke cactus. Like Ariocarpus and Leuchtenbergia genus, the artichoke cactus grows in a geophytic way, in which the ends of its body spiral directly from the base of the stem. Although it has thorns, they often fall off the plant - leaving sparse tufts of thorns at the ends of limited areas of the leaf blade. This spiral growth, combined with the type of stem, gives the plant a characteristic resemblance to the artichoke. Small flowers bloom at the tips of shoots in summer period, resulting in (in case of successful fertilization and maturation) edible, fleshy fruits appear.

1. Blossfeldia dwarf (Blossfeldia liliputana)

Often growing between the rocks in the Andes, the dwarf bloomsfeldia got its name from the land of the Lilliputians from the novel Gulliver's Travels, where all its inhabitants were tiny compared to Gulliver. And all because the dwarf blossomfeldia is the smallest cactus in the world, and its largest specimen grew up to 13 millimeters in diameter. The size and pattern that develops as they grow makes these little wonders especially unique. Cacti often have rounded growth points, but dwarf blossomsfeldia grows from a hollow in the center of the plant. Flowering during the summer months, the dwarf blossomfeldia self-fertilizes and produces seeds that are so small that they easily blend into the surrounding rocks and sand.

A general description with the names of the cactus family, and their classification and photos are given. Presented varieties of cacti available for growing at home

General information about cacti

Areoles of Grandifolius cactus

Cacti are truly unique plants. Even their photosynthesis goes differently than the rest of the plant world: carbon dioxide for it is collected by the plant at night, and not during the day. This is due to the fact that during the day, in order to avoid moisture loss, the stomata of the cactus are closed.

cacti classification

In appearance, cacti are:

treelike
shrubby
herbaceous
vines

Forest cactus epiphyllum with flowers

If forest cacti are more or less similar to each other, then their desert relatives are represented by three types:

They have spherical or cylindrical stems.
Areoles, relatively evenly distributed, may be located on small ribs.
Extremely tenacious and adaptable plants.
Grafting of any cactus is impossible without echinopsis, which are used as rootstocks.
However, it would be a mistake to consider them exclusively a "technical" plant.
There are many varieties of these cacti with excellent decorative properties.

prickly pear

prickly pear

The most common type of cactus.
They are distinguished by the characteristic shape of the stem - it is flattened and resembles a small cake.
There are a huge number of varieties of prickly pear, which in their natural habitats find a wide variety of uses: from food to dyes or raw materials for the production of alcoholic or medicinal products.
The living conditions of prickly pear are also very different.
There are species that can tolerate negative temperatures and a short stay under the snow, or partially grown into the ice.

astrophytums

astrophytums

Cacti with pronounced ribs, on which thick spines are located.
Unlike echinopsis, they are smaller, but have more ribs, and are also equipped with many small specks on the stem that can absorb water.
In spite of small size, astrophytums begin to bloom at a very early age.
Their flowering lasts from May to October, which is a kind of record among cacti.
However, you have to pay for everything.
In winter, this type of plant is dormant and practically does not grow.
In addition, astrophytums have the slowest growth rate of both the stem and root system.
They are not recommended to be transplanted more than once every 5-6 years.

A separate category are plants used in folk medicine by the indigenous people of Central and South America. Among them, there are both harmless antiseptics and very serious hallucinogens, containing up to 2% mescaline in their mass.

Consider the most popular types and varieties of cacti in home floriculture, the features of their cultivation and maintenance.

Types of home cacti

At home, cacti change their lifestyle and sometimes even their appearance. This is due to the ability of all succulents to adapt to environmental conditions. Most often, such a manifestation can occur imperceptibly for the host, for example, the root system decreases or the growth rate of the flower changes.

Ariocarpus

Ariocarpus

An original cactus with reduced spines. Most varieties have a flattened shape and triangular branches from the stem.
The inconspicuous appearance of the plant is compensated by large beautiful flowers or inflorescences that appear on it every spring.
It has a tap root system, often having a large thickening, which must be taken into account when choosing a pot for this pet. Sometimes the size of the root is 4 times the size of the ground part of the flower.
Flowering occurs at the end of autumn and lasts for several days.
After that, fruits ripen on the plant, containing many small seeds. Ariocarpus seeds have a germination capacity for several years.

Gymnocalyciums

Gymnocalyciums

The spherical stems of this plant can have a wide variety of sizes, depending on the variety.
There are also giants up to 30 cm in diameter among them, and there are also very small specimens, no more than 2 cm in size.
A distinctive feature of these flowers are bare flower tubes, completely devoid of any hairy protective cover.
The plant is able to bloom in the second year of life. Flowering is long, lasting almost the entire season. The shades are very diverse - from white to dark purple.
Some types of these flowers are devoid of chlorophyll in the stems, which makes their coloring very original. The stems of these cacti can be yellow or bright red.
Gymnocalyciums are often grafted onto other cacti, for example, some varieties of astrophytums.

Cleistocactus

Cleistocactus

Plants with a long cylindrical shape.
Their height, even at home, can reach up to 4 meters, and thickness up to 15 cm.
Although, basically, specimens are grown in pots that do not exceed 0.5 m in height.
The plant is always perfectly straight, with about a dozen unexpressed ribs.
The root system is very developed, which must be taken into account when growing.
A distinctive feature of these plants is a large number of thin spines growing from areoles.
Moreover, the spines can be both thick and thin. Sometimes, with a large number of soft spines, the cactus seems to be covered with a kind of fluff.

astrophytums

astrophytums

Plants with a stem with pronounced ribs.
Their number can reach up to 10, although there are usually specimens with 5 "rays".
The stem has a strong, almost rigid structure, so it does not have spines to protect against potential predators.
Blossom for 2 years of life. Flowering time depends on the species, however, its duration rarely exceeds 3 days.
The flowers are mostly yellow or red.
Almost all astrophytums grow slowly, which, however, does not prevent them from “exploiting” free areas quickly enough, propagating both vegetatively and with the help of seeds.

Cacti of this type are extremely common. Some botanists believe that mammillaria is even larger than all prickly pear.
The main difference from other cacti is the characteristic shape of areoles and their large number.
In addition, the flowers in these plants do not appear from the areoles, but from special sinuses located between them.
The plant requires a lot of heat and light to maintain.
This is one of the most demanding cacti, however, if all conditions are met, its flowering will be one of the most abundant in the entire family.
Mammillaria do not allow temperatures below +15°C in summer.
Also critical for them are daily temperature fluctuations greater than 8-11°C.
In winter, plants are able to tolerate temperatures of the order of 10 ° C, however, already in mid-March, the plant requires “summer” conditions.

Lophophora

Lophophora

He is peyote or peyote. The same cactus rich in mescaline, which was used in their practices by representatives of the clergy of the Aztec and Mayan civilizations.
And although its cultivation is prohibited by law in most countries, there are a fairly large number of photos of this plant on the net, which is clearly not grown in the wild.
It is a relatively small plant, up to 9 cm in diameter, spherical or cylindrical in shape, devoid of thorns.
The root system is quite developed, it is from it that many “children” of this cactus are formed.
Flowers appear at the top of the cactus. The older he is, the more flowers.
Flowering time is about a month.

Cephalocereus

Cephalocereus

From Latin it is translated as "the head of an old man." It grows slowly, but under natural conditions it reaches truly gigantic sizes: specimens up to 15 m high and up to 0.5 m in diameter have been recorded.
An amazing feature of this plant is its theoretically unlimited growth at home.
If you do not take measures to stop the root system, the plant is able to grow at home to its natural, natural size.
Summer requires good lighting and ventilation; watering is moderate, not more than 1 time in 10 days.
In winter, the plant requires non-watering dormancy with a temperature of about + 5 ° C, which can sometimes be a problem for a cactus grower.
The flowers of this cactus, although they are quite large (up to 10 cm in diameter), however, it is difficult to call them attractive because of the unpleasant smell with which cephaloceruses attract bats in nature.

Rhipsalis

Rhipsalis

One of the unusual representatives of cactus. Belongs to the tropical type.
Cultivated in hanging pots or placed on tall supplies.
For about three years, it is able, growing downwards, to completely hide the support on which it is located.
It is an epiphyte with small roots, serving mainly for attachment to a support.
The stem is branched, up to 1.5 m long, while one hundred of their thickness does not exceed 4-5 mm.
It has a large number of areoles, in each of which a flower is formed.
Usually, all flowers, except for those located on the growth cone, fall off, while the latter can bloom within a week.
After flowering, all branches of ripsalis are covered with berries in shape similar to large currants.

The so-called "Easter cactus" or "Decembrist".
It got its name because of the time of flowering, coming in December, closer to the Catholic Christmas.
It has many varieties and hybrids, differing both in the shape of the stems and in the shades of flowers.
It is an epiphyte with a record short dormant period, lasting from October to November.
Then comes the time of active flowering. About a month after flowering and fruit ripening, the plant enters a phase of active vegetation, lasting until dormant.
During this time, it significantly increases its green mass, so transplantation of ripsalidopsis, especially in the first years of life, is a common phenomenon.
They are made immediately after the end of the flowering process; at the same time, the capacity of the pot is selected, approximately 1.5 times larger than the previous one.
A feature of the cultivation of this plant is its fairly long ability to endure drought in natural conditions, but you should not subject it to such tests at home: the more water the plant receives, the more flowers it can form.
The conditions for keeping the epiphyllum are as follows: the temperature in summer is from 20 to 25 ° C.
During the dormant period - no more than 10-15 ° C. Watering is rare, 1 time in 2-3 weeks. At rest, it is necessary to completely exclude watering.
For abundant flowering the plant needs top dressing in the form of special fertilizers for succulents or cacti.
Usually, they are applied several times a season: every month, from June to September, top dressing is carried out twice.
With proper care and sufficient feeding, the plant can bloom twice a season: in May and September.
Flowering time is about 2 weeks.

Rebutia

Rebutia

A spherical cactus native to Bolivia. Has a size of about 8 cm.
It is unpretentious in keeping conditions, although it requires obligatory exposure at rest at a temperature of about + 5 ° C for about 2-3 months.
In summer, bright lighting with direct rays of the Sun is necessary.
At the same time, the cactus is able to withstand temperatures up to + 40 ° C.
Fresh air is a prerequisite, so the presence of drafts is only welcome.
In general, it is better to put the plants on the balcony in the summer or take them out into the garden to those places where there is wind. This is due to the conditions in which rebutia grows in its natural environment: the semi-arid highlands of Bolivia.
The plant should be watered as follows: in spring and summer moderately, once every 1-2 weeks, and in autumn (the time corresponding to the rainy season in the plant's homeland) - every 2-3 days abundantly.
However, care should be taken to ensure that the soil is not wet. It is better to take care of this in advance by making the plant sufficient drainage.
It is possible to apply top dressing at the beginning of summer to stimulate the first flowering, however, as practice shows, rebutia, under the conditions of maintenance, feels great without any fertilizers.

In nature, the cereus is a giant cactus, up to 20 meters high, sometimes living for 200-300 years.
Its name means "candle". The plant in its dwarf forms is unusually common. It is appreciated not only by flower growers, but also by designers.
Cereus blooms in May or June. Blooms exclusively at night.
The flowers are quite beautiful - they are giant lily-like inflorescences located on the sides of the stems.
Flowering lasts only a day, but produces a mystical impression, often accompanied by a pleasant aroma.
Many people start cereus solely to see its flowering process.
As with all cacti, under the conditions of detention, flowering occurs without problems.
Cereus requires a lot of light, but does not like direct sunlight. It is best to place it outside at the end of April and keep it there until September.
The temperature regime of the plant: in summer + 24-26 ° С, in winter - at least + 10 ° С.
Watering once a week, plentiful. If the stem of the plant began to shine, this means that it lacks moisture.
In summer, it is better for the plant to be on the street, while it is better to put it in partial shade or block it from the direct rays of the sun.
They bloom from 2 to 3 months. Flowering time is from March to July.
Shades from bright yellow to purple.
Usually, with normal care, they bloom at 4 years of age, after which they bloom regularly, during each season. Seed propagation is possible.

During the dry period, the cactus does not die, but gradually shrinks.. The plant can wait for showers and go without water for up to two years. When the rain passes, the cactus straightens out and again stores water inside itself.

The largest and smallest plant in the world

The largest and tallest representative in the world of Cactus is the California giant (or Giant cereus). The largest specimen, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, reached a height of 33.4 meters. The giant cereus has not only a unique growth, but also a weight, average specimens (12-15 m) weigh 6-10 tons each and contain about 2 tons of water.

The smallest representative is Blossfeldia tiny, found in the mountains of Bolivia and Argentina. The cactus has a stem 1-3 cm high and small flowers 0.7-0.9 cm in diameter, while the length of the roots exceeds the aerial part by 10 times. Its annual growth is calculated in millimeters.

Can it be without thorns?

It is a misconception that all cacti are covered with thorns. They do not have thorns, as a rule, forest cacti belonging to the group of epiphytes and growing on trees in the tropical forests of Brazil. They are characterized by long, wide, leafy stems hanging down.

The most famous cacti without thorns:

epiphyllum;
ripsalis;
hatiora;
vittia amazonica.

Edible varieties

There are varieties of cacti that have edible and very tasty fruits:

prickly pear- sweet red-burgundy berries with a slight sourness; the stems are also eaten, both raw and fried and canned.
melocactus(“Candy cactus”) - eaten candied, jelly, compotes and jam are made from it.
Neoverdemania- the stems are eaten baked and boiled; it tastes like potatoes and is widely used in Bolivian and Paraguayan cuisine.
Hylocereus- a fruit known as pitahaya or dragon heart, which tastes like strawberries.

Before use, thorns must be removed from the stems and fruits of the cactus.

Maximum root length

In pursuit of extracting nutrients and fluid from the soil, cactus roots can grow up to 2 meters. When moisture becomes critically low, the plant can reject extra roots., which are no longer able to supply water and "food" to the stem.

Use as a musical instrument

One of the first instruments imitating the sounds of nature was made by the Aztecs from a dried cactus, in the cavity of which seeds were poured. It is now often used by Latin American musicians as a percussion instrument.

Use for animal feed

Cactus-eating cows have been proven to produce more milk.

Mexican farmers empty prickly pear bushes around their farms, so they have to be specially transported from other places.

So that the animals do not get hurt, the prickly pear has to be cleaned of needles.

South American donkeys have adapted to knock down needles on their own in order to feast on prickly pear.

How many types of cactus are there?

The classification of cactus species is constantly changing.. According to the authoritative taxonomy of E. Anderson, over 1500 species of cacti, 130 genera, are distributed on earth.

Tequila production secret

The famous Mexican tequila is not distilled from a cactus at all, but from a blue agave. Agave only outwardly resembles a cactus and shares its habitat with it, but it belongs to the Liliaceae family and is included in the group of succulents.

The traditional low-alcohol (2-8%) Mexican drink "pulque" is produced from agave.

The world's most expensive "thorny flower"

The most expensive known sale of a cactus took place in 1843.. Kochubey's Ariocarpus was sold for $200 (approximately $4,500 today). By the standards of that time, the cactus weighed half as much as the gold paid for it.

The cactus is an amazingly hardy desert dweller requiring minimal care when grown indoors. It is still considered one of the most unusual plants and occupies a worthy place in the collections of many flower growers.

Useful video

We offer you to watch a video on the topic "Interesting facts about cacti":

The word "cactus" served the inhabitants Ancient Greece so that they could designate with it any plant unknown to them. "What is it?" - one ancient Greek asked another. “Ah, some kind of cactus!” - he answered, if he was not aware of which representative of the flora was in front of him. This went on for quite some time, but Carl Linnaeus intervened in the process of using the word. The most famous botanist in the world decided to use this term to designate a very specific type of plant. This event took place in the first half of the 18th century - long after cacti appeared on Earth.

Researchers believe that cacti began to grow on our planet about 35 million years ago. Impressive, isn't it? And for such a long period of existence of the cactus genus, real giants worthy of the Guinness Book of Records appeared on Earth. The focus of our attention today is the three most giant spines in the world.

Third place: ferocactus

There are quite deserted states in North America. For example, distant Utah or New Mexico. It is there, in the wastelands, in the absolute wilderness and spacious steppe, which is not distinguished by an abundance of vegetation, that ferocactus live. These flowering plants may be spherical or cylindrical in shape. And some types of ferocactus are truly gigantic in size. Take, for example, Ferocactus pilosus: this variety of one of the most gigantic cacti in the world can reach a meter in diameter. In height, such plants can grow up to four and a half meters. Seeing this, I can’t even believe that the cactus sitting in a pot on the windowsill, and this North American giant, are the closest relatives.

Ferocactus was discovered by a botanist named Houston. The plant was discovered by an explorer in Mexico at the end of the eighteenth century. William Houston immediately notified the world scientific community about the discovery.

Second place: giant carnegia

Saguaro - this is how the Mexicans call another giant, which is several times larger than the previous one. Carnegia giant grows in Mexico, as well as in the southern regions of the North American continent. Arriving in the United States in the hope of seeing one of the cacti, which is more like a tree, you should go to Arizona or California.

The height of the giant carnegia is impressive: the tallest representative of the genus managed to grow up to 18 meters. Of course, the entire “body” of the plant is strewn with needles. But they are not small, like other members of the family, but rather long, up to 7 cm in length. True, if we take into account the height of the giant carnegia, then we can conclude that everything is proportional in this plant.

For a long time, the giant carnegia belonged to the genus of cacti Cereus and was not an independent plant. However, not so long ago, scientists came to the conclusion that carnegia has characteristic differences that allow it to “disconnect” from the cereus. The most gigantic representative of the discussed variety of cacti was found in Arizona. Its height was 17 meters and 65 centimeters.

Carnegia got its name from Andrew Carnegie, a multimillionaire and philanthropist.

First place: Cereus

Among the cereus, which for a long time belonged to the giant carnegia: some are small shrubs, others are real giants. However, for the sake of truth, it must be said that there are, of course, many times more giants among them than miniature representatives of the genus. The stem of the cereus has a cylindrical shape. The plant reaches a height of twenty meters, thanks to which it takes first place in our ranking.

The vegetative period of cereus is three hundred years. Of course, many trees live much longer than cacti. However, this does not prevent the cereus from being considered a long-liver among the representatives of the flora that inhabit planet Earth. It is noteworthy that the fruits that ripen on the most gigantic cacti in the world can be freely eaten. From a distance, they resemble huge tomatoes. These "berries" have repeatedly saved the lives of wanderers and travelers who found themselves face to face with the desert - without water and food.

A unique giant named cereus was born in the Caribbean, formerly known as the West Indies. However, today it can be found in any part of America - both in the south and in the north. Cereus loves the desert. Therefore, it is necessary to look for it exclusively in such territories.

The largest cereus is considered to be a cactus nicknamed the California giant. Its height is 25 meters, and its age is about two hundred years. Interestingly, in the first decade of their life, such cacti grow literally a couple of centimeters during the year, and begin to bloom only after their age has exceeded half a century. The researchers calculated and found out that the California giant is a real natural water tower: the plant contains two tons of moisture.

The average height of the cereus is from 12 to 15 meters. The weight of such plants usually exceeds six tons. Sometimes it reaches ten tons or more.

TOP 9 facts about the California giant

To get to know the California giant better, we offer you a selection of the most interesting facts about this plant. Some you may already know. But some will certainly surprise you and become a real discovery.

The California giant, which grows in the state of Arizona, is considered the official symbol of this region of the United States.
The Arizona cereus is officially recognized as the most gigantic cactus in the world. This fact is confirmed by the inclusion of the plant in the Guinness Book of Records.
Active development in cereus begins only after he has sat in the ground for three decades.
Up to seventy years, the cereus has a cylindrical shape. And after overcoming this age threshold, the plant begins the active development of lateral branches. Until the age of 70, this simply does not happen.
In addition to being considered the largest cactus in the world, the cereus is also one of the most heavy plants on the ground. According to the most conservative estimates, one average cereus contains from six to ten tons of water.
Cacti are plants that tend to accumulate moisture inside themselves. They easily tolerate heat and are quite calm about the lack of watering. And all thanks to the fact that they themselves contain a lot of moisture. If we had the opportunity to pass the cereus through the press, then at the end of the process we would get two tons of water from the cactus.
In the desert, as you know, not everyone can survive. Therefore, not only the flora of these places is scarce, but also the fauna. However, some people still inhabit the desert: some species of birds, rodents, snakes. All of these animals often use cereus as a haven. They equip dwellings in cacti and live.
Cereus fruits are not just edible. They boast an excellent set of vitamins and minerals, they saturate and even take part in the production of alcoholic beverages: the locals use the saber berries as the main ingredient for making strong homemade alcohol.
Cereus flowers, which appear on it only after the 50th anniversary, bloom exclusively at night. The diameter of each inflorescence is about ¼ meter.

Is it possible to grow "giants" at home

You may be surprised, but cactus advice will not let us lie: all of the listed types of plants can be easily grown at home. Of course, you will not succeed in a giant in a pot. However, ferocactus, and cereus, and carnegia are able to settle on a home windowsill and deliver a lot of aesthetic pleasure to their grower.

Ferocactus is that glorious ball that seems to rise above the pot in the form of a hemisphere and at some point blooms: on the body, covered with thorns, one or more bright and conspicuous inflorescences appear. This show looks amazing.

Location. For normal development, ferocactus requires a well-lit place. If your house has a window that “looks” south, it would make sense to place the cactus pot on that window sill. In the summer, it makes sense to send a cactus in a pot to outdoor balcony or a loggia - that is, where there is Free access fresh air. You can even take the ferocactus outside: to the garden, front garden or to the outside of the windowsill, if we are talking about a city apartment.
Watering. Ferocactus should be watered only after the substrate with which its pot is filled has completely dried out. If your city apartment is cool enough in winter (up to 22 degrees Celsius), then from November to early spring, ferocactus watering can be safely stopped. If the house is warm, continue to water the plant in the winter in the same way as you did in the summer.
Humidity. Ferocactus does not need additional moisture. But the plant needs a warm shower from time to time. But only in order to wash off the remnants of dust accumulated on the cactus. If you organize bath procedures cactus is out of your hands, use a regular paint brush: just brush off the dust particles from the flower from time to time - and it's in the bag.
planting substrate. For normal growth and development, ferocactus requires calcareous or rocky soil. In nature, it grows in such a land. The acidity should be quite substantial: pH should vary from 7 to 8 divisions.

Without fail, when planting a ferocactus, make sure that a quality plant is organized in the planting container. drainage system. Moisture in no case should not stagnate in a pot.

Carnegia, which is grown at home, is a rather large tree-like cactus. It belongs to the erect species of the prickly family. It grows rather slowly and does not happen to be a giant at home. So do not be afraid that the carnegia will grow up to fifteen meters, as in its natural habitat. Feel free to grow this cactus for your own joy. Moreover, it is not at all difficult to do this.

Location. A place for carnegia in a pot should be chosen so that in any season it receives the maximum amount of sunlight. This plant loves light very much and cannot develop qualitatively without it. Don't be afraid to roast carnegia in the sun. Send her to the south window sill. Or transfer from east to west during the day, which, of course, is much less convenient.
Watering. In winter, carnegia should be watered only when the substrate is completely dry. In the spring-summer period, it is rarely necessary to water, but it is good: so that the clod of earth is completely wet. But the moisture that drains into the pan should not be left in this form. It is mandatory to drain it.
Humidity. Spraying carnegia, like ferocactus, is not necessary. Do not abuse moisture. Carnegia loves dry, but clean air. In this regard, one more rule: be sure to ventilate the room in which one of the most gigantic cacti in the world grows more often. But at the same time, remove the pot with carnegia away from the draft - this can be detrimental to the plant.
planting substrate. You can prepare the soil for planting carnegia yourself. To do this, you need to take one part of leafy soil and one part of soddy land. Two parts of fairly coarse sand should be added to this mixture. The substrate for planting a cactus is ready. It is extremely important to know that this plant does not like too acidic soil. The maximum pH of the soil should not be higher than 6.5.

Experts recommend adding small pieces of charcoal to the soil when planting carnegia. Such an additive will improve the drainage of the substrate.

Cereus at home is a blooming handsome man, the real pride of the grower. But in order for flowering to happen, and to certainly happen on time, a number of recommendations should be followed.

Location. The best place to place the pot with cereus, the southwest, southeast or south window will become. Cereus at any time of the year should be well-lit.
Watering. It is strictly forbidden to use hard and cold water for watering the cereus. Before moistening the soil, make sure that the water has settled and reached room temperature. If possible, water the cereus with filtered water.
Humidity. Between the beginning of April and the end of September, the giant cactus needs additional moisture. You can satisfy this need of a flower by spraying the plant with a spray bottle two to three times a week.
planting substrate. Alkaline soil is not suitable for planting cereus. The soil should be either acidic or neutral. The obligatory components of the substrate for this cactus should be sand and brick chips.

In no case do not plant cereus in soil that is rich in humus. This will destroy the exotic plant. We hope our recommendations will help you grow your own giant in miniature.