Browningia hertlingiana f. cristata
Browningia hertlingiana f. cristata is the crested (fasciated) form of the striking blue columnar cactus Browningia hertlingiana. Instead of growing as an upright column, the crested form's growing point fans out into wide, undulating ridges of powdery blue-grey skin, producing sculptural, brain-like or coral-like folds that make it a highly sought-after ornamental and grafted collector plant. Its care follows that of the parent species, Browningia hertlingiana.
Description
Cresting (fasciation) occurs when the plant's normally single growing tip is replaced by a continuous line of growth, so the stem widens into a flattened, wavy fan rather than a cylinder. In this cultivar those fans keep the qualities that make the parent species famous: a striking waxy, powder-blue to turquoise coating (a natural farina, or bloom) over the green skin, and spines carried along the ridged crests. The result is a mound of rippling blue tissue that thickens and folds back on itself as it grows.
As with all crested cacti, the form is unstable: individual plants may throw normal cylindrical growth at any time, and some growers remove these reverting shoots to keep the fan intact. No two crested specimens grow quite alike, which is part of their appeal.
Cultivation
Care is broadly as for the parent species, Browningia hertlingiana — bright light, a fast-draining mostly mineral mix, careful watering with a full dry-down between drinks, and protection from frost. A few points are specific to the crested form:
- Light and colour — strong light encourages the best blue farina and tight, compact cresting; in weak light the plant grows looser and greener. Avoid handling the body, as the powdery bloom rubs off and does not regenerate.
- Grafting — crested Browningia are frequently sold grafted onto a vigorous columnar rootstock, which speeds growth and sidesteps the slow, sometimes rot-prone roots of the crest. Own-root plants exist but are slower and need especially sharp drainage.
- Watering and rot — the tightly folded crown traps water and debris, so water at the base and let the plant dry quickly. Standing moisture in the folds is a common route to rot.
- Repotting — handle by the pot or with padded supports rather than gripping the fan, and see Repotting for general technique.
Watch for the usual pests — mealybugs love to hide in the crevices of the crest, and their white fluff can be hard to spot against the pale skin.
See also
- Browningia — the genus overview
- Browningia hertlingiana — the parent species
- Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases