Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica
| Light | Bright light to full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Regularly in the growing season, letting the mix dry between waterings; keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Free-draining gritty mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Best kept above freezing; protect from hard frost |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (very easy); also seed |
| Toxicity | Not considered toxic, but the glochids can irritate skin |
Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica is an erect, columnar opuntioid cactus native to the northern Andes of South America, easily recognised by its smooth, cylindrical green stems and the small, deciduous cylindrical leaves it carries near the growing tips. Commonly called the cane cactus, it is a vigorous, undemanding plant that has long been grown by hobbyists and is a good introduction to the genus Austrocylindropuntia.
Description
Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica forms upright, cylindrical stems that branch to build a shrubby, cane-like plant, often taller than it is wide. The stems are smooth and rich green, without the flattened pads of a true Opuntia; instead the surface is marked by low, spirally arranged tubercles, each bearing a small areole. Like other members of the genus, it produces short, narrow, cylindrical leaves near the stem tips. These leaves are a distinctive feature of Austrocylindropuntia — they are fully developed and photosynthetic but deciduous, drying and dropping as the stem matures.
The areoles carry fine, barbed glochids and, in many plants, a few slender spines, though the species is relatively lightly armed compared with some relatives. Flowers are showy and typically scarlet to red, opening on the sides and tips of established stems, and may be followed by fleshy, spiny fruit.
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in the northern Andes, from Colombia and Ecuador to northern Peru, where it grows on slopes and in open, seasonally dry montane scrub. Plants of these habitats experience strong sun, cool nights and a distinct wet and dry cycle, which is worth keeping in mind in cultivation.
Cultivation
Austrocylindropuntia cylindrica is one of the easier cacti to grow and is quite forgiving. Give it a free-draining, gritty mix and the brightest position you can offer; in strong light the stems stay compact and the little leaves develop well, while too much shade produces thin, drawn growth. During the warm months it appreciates more generous watering than many desert cacti — water thoroughly, then let the mix dry out before the next drink. Reduce watering sharply in autumn and keep the plant dry and cool through winter, which improves cold tolerance and helps prevent rot. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Handle the plant with care: the fine barbed glochids detach at the slightest touch and lodge in skin easily, as can the slender spines. As a vigorous grower it can be cut back to shape at any time in the growing season, and the removed pieces root readily.
Propagation
Propagation is easiest from stem cuttings. Remove a length of stem, let the cut surface callus over for several days in a dry, airy spot, then set it in a gritty, barely moist mix; roots form quickly in warm weather. The species can also be raised from seed, though cuttings are so reliable that most growers never bother.
Common problems
- Rot — usually from a waterlogged mix or watering during cold, dark spells; stems soften and discolour from the base.
- Etiolation — insufficient light produces pale, weak, over-stretched stems that lose the plant's neat cane form.
- Glochid irritation — not a plant health issue but a grower one; the fine barbed bristles lodge in skin easily, so use gloves or folded paper when handling.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the areoles) and scale are the most likely troublemakers; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Austrocylindropuntia — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases