Lophocereus schottii f. monstrosus
Lophocereus schottii f. monstrosus, best known as the totem-pole cactus, is the smooth, spineless, monstrose form of Lophocereus schottii. Instead of the ribbed, spiny columns of the wild species, it grows as knobbly, grey-green pillars covered in irregular bumps and folds, with no functional spines — a look that has made it one of the most recognisable ornamental cacti in warm-climate landscaping. Care follows the parent species, Lophocereus schottii.
Description
The totem-pole cactus forms tall, columnar stems that branch mainly from the base, slowly building into a candelabra of upright pillars over many years. The surface is the defining feature: rather than clean ribs, the skin is broken into a shifting pattern of rounded lumps, wrinkles and swellings, giving each stem the sculpted, weathered appearance that inspired the common name. Stems are a soft matte green to grey-green and lack the bristly "old man" spines seen at the flowering tops of normal L. schottii.
Because the growing points are disorganised in monstrose tissue, the plant rarely flowers, and when it does it is sparse and unreliable. It is grown almost entirely for its form rather than its blooms. Growth is steady but not fast, and mature specimens can reach a substantial height given time and space.
Cultivation
Grow the totem-pole cactus as for the parent species — see Lophocereus schottii for full detail. In short, it wants bright light, a fast-draining, mostly mineral mix, and careful watering: soak thoroughly once the soil has dried out, then let it dry again, and keep it much drier and cooler through winter. It is a warm-climate plant and should be protected from frost; where winters are cold it is best kept in a pot that can move under cover.
A few notes specific to this monstrose form:
- Light and colour — plenty of sun keeps the stems firm and compact. In too much shade the soft, lumpy tissue can etiolate and grow thin and weak.
- Handling — the smooth skin bruises and scars easily, and marks are permanent, so move large plants with care.
- Reversion — monstrose plants occasionally throw a normal, ribbed, spiny stem. If you want to keep the pure totem-pole look, cut these reverted shoots away.
Propagation
The totem-pole cactus is propagated almost entirely from cuttings. A stem or stem section is removed with a clean blade, the cut surface is allowed to callus and dry for a week or more in shade, and the cutting is then set in a gritty, barely-moist mix to root. This vegetative route keeps the monstrose trait, which does not come true from seed. Larger cuttings establish into imposing plants relatively quickly. See Propagation — cuttings for general technique.
See also
- Lophocereus schottii — the parent species
- Lophocereus — the genus overview
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases