Myrtillocactus schenckii
| Light | Bright light to full sun; tolerates strong sun once established |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderate in the growing season; allow to dry between waterings, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining mineral-rich mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; best in USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Seed and cuttings |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Myrtillocactus schenckii is a tree-like, candelabra-forming columnar cactus from southern Mexico, closely related to the well-known garambullo, Myrtillocactus geometrizans. It is distinguished from its cousin by its darker, more numerous spines and a somewhat greener (less blue) skin, and it produces small, sweet, edible berries much like those of the garambullo. With age it develops a short trunk and a broad crown of many upright branches, forming a substantial specimen.
Description
Myrtillocactus schenckii grows into a small tree, eventually reaching several metres tall, with a distinct woody trunk that branches repeatedly to form a dense candelabra of erect, columnar stems. The stems are ribbed, usually with several low ribs, and carry areoles set along the rib edges.
Compared with Myrtillocactus geometrizans, the spines of M. schenckii are darker — often blackish or brown — and tend to be more numerous, giving the stems a slightly bristlier look. The skin is green, without the strong bluish bloom of the garambullo. Small creamy to greenish flowers open along the ribs, followed by little rounded berries that ripen to a dark purplish colour.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to southern Mexico, in the states of Oaxaca and Puebla, where it grows in warm, seasonally dry scrub and thornforest. It favours well-drained rocky or gritty ground and, like many columnar cacti of the region, often grows alongside other tree-like succulents and drought-adapted shrubs. The climate it comes from is frost-free, with a distinct wet season followed by a long dry period.
Cultivation
Myrtillocactus schenckii is a robust, fairly easy grower for a warm, bright position. Give it a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix and plenty of light; it takes strong sun well once acclimatised, developing sturdier growth and better spination. Water moderately through the warm growing season, letting the soil dry between drinks, and keep the plant dry and warm through winter to avoid rot. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Being frost-tender, it should be protected from freezing temperatures. In cooler climates it is best grown in a container that can be moved under cover, or in a heated greenhouse. As with the rest of the genus, it can also be used as a vigorous grafting stock for slower or more delicate cacti.
Propagation
The species can be raised from seed sown on a warm, humid mineral surface, in the usual way for columnar cacti — see Propagation — seed. It is also readily propagated from stem cuttings: a branch is severed, the cut surface allowed to callus (dry over) for a week or more, and then set on barely moist gritty mix to root. See Propagation — cuttings for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot — the most common killer, almost always from overwatering, a poorly draining mix, or cold-and-wet conditions in winter; stems soften and discolour, often from the base.
- Cold damage — exposure to frost causes scarring or collapse of the tissue; keep the plant above freezing.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the areoles) and, less often, scale insects and red spider mites can trouble stressed plants; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Myrtillocactus — the genus overview
- Myrtillocactus geometrizans — the closely related garambullo
- Grafting · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed · Propagation — cuttings