Tsereus / cerus

Refers to the family of cacti.

General description: Cereus is one of the favorite kinds of cactus. He is handsome and unpretentious, hurrying up.

Usually in the room conditions the following species are bred:

Cereus peruvianus (Cereus of Peruvian) owns a columned ribbed stem up to 1.5 m high, covered with brown spines. Adult cacti bloom with large white flowers. Has a shape with curved branching stems, which grows slowly and does not bloom.

Cerus jamacaru (Tsereus Yamakaru) differs from it in the color of spines (white or yellow) and in that its large flowers blossom at night.

Recommendations for caring for the plant Cereus:

Illumination : Photophilous, prefer southern windows, but in the spring should be carefully accustomed to direct sunlight, in order to avoid burns.

Irrigation regime : Moderate during growth, in winter unusual, especially if the plant is kept in cool. Water with warm, soft water.

Humidity of air : Periodic spraying with warm water is desirable, but the cereus is not exacting to the humidity of the atmosphere. For the summer it is better to place on a fresh atmosphere (in the park or on the balcony). In winter, the period of inactivity with dry content.

Temperature regime : Moderate in summer, in winter the period of inactivity at 10-12 ° C, minimum 8 ° C, with a dry content.

Soil : Drainage is mandatory. You can add charcoal and brick chips.

Recommended soil mix: 2 elements of turf, 1 share of leaf, 1 share of peat land, 1 share of sand.

During the growth period, it needs fertilizing once every two weeks with fertilizers for cacti and succulents.

Breeding : Cuttings and seeds in the spring.

Transplantation : In the spring, young plants annually, mature once a couple of years.

Pests : It is affected by scarlet spider mites (in a dry atmosphere, leaves and stems are braided with cobwebs).

The plant is allowed to help finish with a soap solution, warm washing and spraying with an actinic (1-2 ml per liter of water).

For prevention, the plant is recommended to wipe with medical alcohol and periodically sprayed from a shallow spray.

Tsereus - cerus