Cylindropuntia bigelovii
| Light | Full sun; the more the better once established |
|---|---|
| Water | Very sparingly; drought-tolerant, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Sharp, gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Heat-loving; tolerates light frost if kept dry, USDA zones 8b–11 |
| Propagation | Detached joints root readily (see Propagation — cuttings); seed rarely used |
| Toxicity | Not considered toxic if eaten, but the barbed spines cause painful mechanical injury |
Cylindropuntia bigelovii is a small, densely spined cholla cactus of the hot deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, instantly recognised by its coat of pale golden spines that glow when backlit. The common name teddy-bear cholla comes from that soft, fuzzy appearance from a distance — an appearance that is entirely deceptive, because the cylindrical joints are covered in barbed spines and detach at the lightest brush, so it is also loosely called a jumping cholla (a name most properly belonging to the related Cylindropuntia fulgida). It is one of the most distinctive members of the genus Cylindropuntia.
Description
Cylindropuntia bigelovii grows as a compact, shrubby plant, typically reaching around 0.5–1.5 m tall with a short, dark, spineless trunk that thickens with age. Above it, a dense crown of short cylindrical stem segments (joints) branches out, giving the plant its rounded, cuddly silhouette. The lower trunk often darkens and loses its spines over the years, contrasting sharply with the bright, fresh growth above.
Each joint is thickly clothed in spines that vary from silvery-white to straw-yellow, obscuring the green stem beneath. The spines are barbed and sheathed in a papery covering, and the joints are only weakly attached — the slightest contact detaches a segment, which clings to skin, fur or clothing with remarkable tenacity. Flowers are relatively inconspicuous, yellow-green sometimes flushed with pale streaks, appearing near the tips of the joints in spring, followed by short, spiny fruits.
A notable quirk of the species is that it reproduces almost entirely clonally. Its flowers rarely set viable seed, so most plants in a stand are genetically identical, having grown from dropped joints.
Distribution and habitat
The teddy-bear cholla is native to the Sonoran and Mojave deserts, ranging across southern California, Arizona and Nevada in the United States and into Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. It favours hot, sunny, rocky slopes and desert flats at low to moderate elevations, often forming striking dense stands — the so-called "cholla gardens" that carpet certain bajadas and hillsides.
In habitat the plant endures blazing sun, intense heat and long drought, conditions that inform how it should be grown in cultivation.
Cultivation
Grown for its dramatic backlit spines rather than its flowers, C. bigelovii is an easy plant given the two things it insists on: strong light and sharp drainage. Plant it in a very free-draining, gritty mineral mix and give it as much direct sun as you can — insufficient light produces weak, sparsely spined growth that spoils the whole effect. Water sparingly during the warm growing season, letting the mix dry out completely between drinks, and keep the plant dry through winter to avoid rot. See Watering for general technique.
It tolerates far more cold than its desert home suggests, surviving light frosts when kept dry, but it resents cold combined with damp. Handle it with extreme care: keep it well away from paths, pets and children, and use tongs, folded newspaper or thick gloves when repotting. A detached joint embedded in skin is best removed with a comb or pliers rather than fingers.
Propagation
Propagation could hardly be simpler, since the plant is built to do it for you. A joint that has fallen or been knocked off will callus and root readily when set on or barely into a dry, gritty mix — this is the same clonal habit the plant uses in the wild. Let the cut or broken end dry for several days before placing it, then keep it warm and only lightly watered until roots form. See Propagation — cuttings for the general method. Growing from seed is possible but uncommon, partly because viable seed is scarce.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual killer, caused by overwatering or a poorly draining mix, especially in cool weather; joints go soft and discoloured.
- Weak, etiolated growth — too little sun leaves the plant sparse and thinly spined, losing its characteristic density.
- Mechanical injury (to the grower) — not a plant problem but the most frequent complaint; the barbed, easily detached joints make careful handling and sensible placement essential.
- Pests — mealybugs can lodge among the joints and are awkward to reach given the spines; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Cylindropuntia — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases