Chamaecereus 'Yellow Bunny'
Chamaecereus 'Yellow Bunny is a free-flowering hybrid of the peanut cactus (Chamaecereus silvestrii), grown for its clear yellow blooms borne on masses of low, finger-like clumping stems. Like other peanut-cactus hybrids it is fast, forgiving and quick to make a spilling mound of short stems, making it one of the easiest and most cheerful small cacti for a windowsill or the front of a collection.
Its care follows that of the parent species, Chamaecereus; see that page for full growing details.
Description
'Yellow Bunny' forms low, sprawling clumps of soft, cylindrical stems only a centimetre or so thick, each lined with many low ribs and short, harmless bristly spines. The stems break off easily and root where they touch soil, so a plant quickly becomes a dense cushion of overlapping "peanuts" that may trail over the edge of a pot.
In late spring and early summer the clumps produce their trademark trumpet-shaped flowers, in this cultivar a soft, clear yellow, opening wide by day over a few weeks. A well-grown, well-rested plant can flower generously enough to nearly hide the stems.
Cultivation
Grow 'Yellow Bunny' as for the parent species — see Chamaecereus. In short, give it bright light with a little shelter from the harshest summer sun, a fast-draining mineral mix, and thorough watering through the growing season with the soil allowed to dry between drinks. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
The single most important requirement for flowering is a cold, dry winter rest: kept cool and completely dry through the coldest months, the plant sets far more buds in spring. Warm, damp winter conditions produce lush but shy-flowering growth. The soft stems are prone to rot if kept wet, and to shrivelling if starved, so aim for a bright, airy spot.
Propagation
Almost trivially easy. The brittle stem segments detach at a touch; allow a cutting to callus for a day or two, then set it on gritty, barely moist mix and it will root within weeks. Because 'Yellow Bunny' is a named clone, it is propagated this way rather than from seed, keeping the flower colour true. See Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — offsets.
Common problems
- Rot — the soft stems are the first thing to go with overwatering or a stagnant, water-retentive mix; affected segments turn soft and translucent.
- Shy flowering — nearly always the result of too warm or too wet a winter; the plant needs a genuine cold, dry rest to bloom well.
- Pests — mealybugs lodge in the tight clusters of stems, and red spider mites can bronze the growth in hot, dry air. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Chamaecereus — the parent species and genus
- Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — offsets