The largest cacti in the world. Giant saguaro cacti in the sonoran desert

During the dry period, the cactus does not die, but gradually shrinks.. The plant can wait for showers and go without water for up to two years. When the rain passes, the cactus straightens out and again stores water inside itself.

The largest and smallest plant in the world

The largest and tallest representative in the world of Cactus is the California giant (or Giant cereus). The largest specimen, listed in the Guinness Book of Records, reached a height of 33.4 meters. The giant cereus has not only a unique growth, but also a weight, average specimens (12-15 m) weigh 6-10 tons each and contain about 2 tons of water.

The smallest representative is Blossfeldia tiny, found in the mountains of Bolivia and Argentina. The cactus has a stem 1-3 cm high and small flowers 0.7-0.9 cm in diameter, while the length of the roots exceeds the aerial part by 10 times. Its annual growth is calculated in millimeters.

Can it be without thorns?

It is a misconception that all cacti are covered with thorns. They do not have thorns, as a rule, forest cacti belonging to the group of epiphytes and growing on trees in the tropical forests of Brazil. They are characterized by long, wide, leafy stems hanging down.

The most famous cacti without thorns:

• epiphyllum;
• ripsalis;
• hatiora;
• vittia amazonica.

Edible varieties

There are varieties of cacti that have edible and very tasty fruits:

1. prickly pear- sweet red-burgundy berries with a slight sourness; the stems are also eaten, both raw and fried and canned.
2. melocactus(“Candy cactus”) - eaten candied, jelly, compotes and jam are made from it.
3. Neoverdemania- the stems are eaten baked and boiled; it tastes like potatoes and is widely used in Bolivian and Paraguayan cuisine.
4. Hylocereus- a fruit known as pitahaya or dragon heart, which tastes like strawberries.

Before use, thorns must be removed from the stems and fruits of the cactus.

Maximum root length

In pursuit of extracting nutrients and fluid from the soil, cactus roots can grow up to 2 meters. When moisture becomes critically low, the plant can reject extra roots., which are no longer able to supply water and "food" to the stem.

Use as a musical instrument

One of the first instruments imitating the sounds of nature was made by the Aztecs from a dried cactus, in the cavity of which seeds were poured. It is now often used by Latin American musicians as a percussion instrument.

Use for animal feed

Cactus-eating cows have been proven to produce more milk.

Mexican farmers empty prickly pear bushes around their farms, so they have to be specially transported from other places.

So that the animals do not get hurt, the prickly pear has to be cleaned of needles.

South American donkeys have adapted to knock down needles on their own in order to feast on prickly pear.

How many types of cactus are there?

The classification of cactus species is constantly changing.. According to the authoritative taxonomy of E. Anderson, over 1500 species of cacti, 130 genera, are distributed on earth.

Tequila production secret

The famous Mexican tequila is not distilled from a cactus at all, but from a blue agave. Agave only outwardly resembles a cactus and shares its habitat with it, but it belongs to the Liliaceae family and is included in the group of succulents.

The traditional low-alcohol (2-8%) Mexican drink "pulque" is produced from agave.

The world's most expensive "thorny flower"

The most expensive known sale of a cactus took place in 1843.. Kochubey's Ariocarpus was sold for $200 (approximately $4,500 today). By the standards of that time, the cactus weighed half as much as the gold paid for it.

The cactus is an amazingly hardy desert dweller requiring minimal care when grown indoors. It is still considered one of the most unusual plants and occupies a worthy place in the collections of many flower growers.

Useful video

We offer you to watch a video on the topic "Interesting facts about cacti":

June 18, 2014

The American state of Arizona is famous for its sights. Real wonders of nature - huge saguaro cacti are so unique that they are the pride of the United States.

The giant cactus flower is the state emblem of Arizona. So the Americans testified their respect to the unique plant.

What are cacti

Saguaro is a real champion among his fellows. Its average height reaches 15 meters! In 1988, a cactus of incredible size was discovered in Arizona. The prickly giant reached a height of almost 18 meters.

Today, the record belongs to a cactus that still grows in the same place, in Arizona's Sonora, in Marikupa County. 3 meters in girth and 13.8 meters in height - these are the dimensions of an incredible plant. Carnegia giant is the scientific name for this plant.

There are a lot of such giants in this desert. Their sizes are a little "more modest". There are a small number of giant succulents in California and Mexico, but their main concentration is in Arizona.

The largest cactus in the world reaches a weight of almost 8 tons! Some plants are up to 150 years old!

Like many succulents, saguaros grow very slowly. Only 1 meter in the first 30 years of life - this is the growth rate of a young plant. In the next 40-50 years, the cactus grows by 1mm in height every day.

By human standards, by old age (at 75 years old), sagurao reaches its gigantic size: a huge, thick trunk and many lateral processes are clearly visible from afar. In this huge house one could live, escaping the heat and drinking tequila, extracted directly from the walls of a fantastic plant.

The saguaro flower is very delicate and beautiful. It blooms at night. Among the white petals are hundreds of stamens. Some of them are so large that small birds make their nests between them. The first flowers appear only by the age of 50 of this unusual plant.

Saguaro National Park

Unique giants grow only in the Sonoran Desert, which stretches from Arizona to Mexico. The state protects these unusual forests, where dense thorns are visible on the trees instead of leaves.

Since 1933, the desert territory has been a nature protection zone. Even when building roads or any structures, they take into account whether the construction will damage the natural attractions of the United States.

In 1994, he appeared, the basis of which is the territory of the Green Desert. That's what they call Sonora. This desert is fundamentally different from other desert areas.

Yes, it is also very hot here, but at the same time, more than 30cm of precipitation per year falls on this land. Diversity of biological species flowering plants adjacent to sand deposits.

49 species of cacti grow here. Diverse, unlike each other, prickly desert dwellers coexist with giant saguaros. These bizarre forms attract hundreds of thousands of tourists who want to see not only huge cacti, but also unique world Green desert. Desert tortoises, cougars, snakes, lizards, foxes, peccaries and other animals are found here.

Saguaro cacti of incredible size delight all guests of Arizona. Tourists are happy to take pictures next to the prickly giants.

Giant saguaro cacti in the Sonoran Desert photo

It is unlikely that it will be possible to describe the types of cacti that exist in the world in one article. Therefore, it was decided to present only the most popular types of domestic cacti that grow in literally all regions of our country. Well, the fans, of course. All the proposed types and names of domestic cacti can be easily found in specialized reference books, but information grouped on one page will be easier to use. The most common types of indoor cacti are combined into different genera, or groups that have similar species characteristics. They require the same for themselves, which simplifies the process. See the types of cacti you are interested in and their names, study the assortment of the group and choose the plants that are suitable for you. If there are some types of indoor cacti, the names and descriptions of which cannot be found in this article, then write to us and we will prepare an addition. But we are sure that the vast majority of types of succulents that are grown at home are collected here. Look at the types of cacti in the photo and start an exciting journey into the exciting world of these unusual plants:

What are the types of cacti: names with descriptions and photos

It is important to understand what types of cacti are in order to be able to make a full choice. Further, from the huge variety of species and varieties, readers will be presented with some particularly attractive types of cacti with names, descriptions and photos that will help you get to know this culture better:

Cactus hobbyists have different points of view as to which cacti are the most beautiful. Here will be mentioned mainly well-established cacti in culture, which can be offered for small amateur collections grown on windowsills or in greenhouses in the garden, and which are commercially available in horticultural farms and flower shops. Look at some types of indoor cacti in the photo, which shows some pretty amazing specimens:

Knowing cacti well is not an easy thing, because of the more than 2000 species that exist most of currently cultivated by hobbyists. Without flowers, even a specialist cannot correctly identify many cacti. However, for some genera there are good distinguishing characters, which will be specially mentioned when describing cacti. When describing cactus species, distinctive features will also be given, if possible, but if there are a large number of species, they are far from always enough to correctly identify the plant. It is impossible to determine the type of cactus by the number of spines. (Just the number of spines often varies significantly.) Unfortunately, cacti sold in stores are often incorrectly called or offered under different names, but this circumstance should in no case be a reason for refusing to grow such plants. “Unknown” cacti can also bring a lot of joy. Be sure to look at the photo for the description of cactus species, where you can see all the botanical characteristics:

Aporocactus - forest species of cacti

A characteristic feature of forest cactus species are thin, long, drooping shoots with 7-12 ribs. Large, red, blooming flowers during the day distinguish them from all other cacti with creeping shoots. The few types of cacti with leaves are very difficult to distinguish from each other.

Aporocactus flagelliformis.

Whip aporocactus, snake cactus, rat tail cactus. Slightly two-sided symmetrical (zygomorphic) flowers are similar to the flowers of "Christmas" cacti (Schlumbergera). This type of aporocactus has been known in Germany as a cultivated plant for over 300 years. As its many vernacular names indicate, this plant has been of interest to plant lovers for a very long time. Among the hardy plants grown on balconies and in window flower boxes, one can often find old and profusely flowering specimens of aporocactus. In the tropics, this plant is also very widespread by humans, so it is now difficult to establish its original homeland, which is presumably located in the Mexican state of Hidalgo. There, aporocactus grows hanging from trees or - in areas with higher air humidity - from rocks.

In culture, it is necessary to take into account the semi-epiphytic lifestyle of this cactus. Therefore, a well-permeable substrate is chosen for plants, consisting of cactus soil mixed with perlite, sand, and possibly with the addition of a small amount of sphagnum.

Aporocactus flagelliformis overwinters at a temperature of 6-8°C; however, plants tolerate lower temperatures for a short time. Wintering in a bright place stimulates the laying of flower buds in this blooming in spring cactus. Thanks to its drooping shoots, Aporocactus flagelliformis can be successfully grown as an ampelous plant. In the warm season, the cactus is kept in light, but shaded from direct sun rays place. Aporocactus can be taken outside in the summer and hung in the light shade of trees, so that the scorching sun's rays do not fall on the plant during the hot midday hours. Aporocactus is considered especially prone to damage spider mite, so it is very important when cultivating to harden it in the fresh air.

Aporocactus hybr.

Cacti often succeed in crossing species that have completely different forms growth. good example of this are beautiful hybrid aporocactus. Already in 1830, the English horticulturist Mallison crossed A. flagelliformis with a vertically growing heliocereus (Heliocereus). The result was an intergeneric hybrid with bright red flowers 10-15 cm in diameter, known as Aporocactus mallisoni.

In the fifties, the German breeder from Nuremberg, Greser, managed to obtain an intergeneric hybrid between A. flagelliformis and Trichocereus candicans that attracted everyone's attention.

Recently, work on the hybridization of aporocactus has been carried out primarily in the UK, where they are crossed with hybrid phyllocactus (Epiphyllum hybr.). The result is both smaller and larger plants with drooping or arching shoots and very beautiful flowers varied - until now there is no only pure yellow - color. Look at these types of home cacti in the photo - the names and descriptions will help to distinguish plant varieties:

Types of flowering cacti with names and photos

Astrophytums are types of flowering cacti with amazingly beautiful buds. Various types of astrophytums stand out among other cacti with a few ribs and white felt specks on the surface of the stems, bringing a touch of a kind of exotic to the collection of cacti. They come from hot and dry regions of Mexico and Texas. Perfect for growing in very sunny and warm southern windows. A well-permeable mineral substrate, moderate moisture and dry wintering at a temperature of about 8 ° C are recommended. Large seeds germinate easily and quickly. Look at the flowering types of cacti in the photo with the names, where you can see the most beautiful specimens of this genus:

Astrophytum capricornus ( Astrophytum capricorne).

The species is characterized by matted, long, brown spines and large yellow flowers with a red throat. Tolerates lower winter temperatures than other astrophytums.

Astrophytum speckled, "bishop's miter" ( Astrophytum myriostigma).

"Bishop's Miter" is one of the few cacti completely devoid of thorns. There are forms with and without white felt flecks, as well as with a different number of ribs; interesting looking square plants with four ribs. Relatively small plants can bloom.

Astrophytum decorated ( Astrophytum ornatum).

Compared to Astrophytum capricorne, in this species, the felt specks are most often arranged in the form of stripes, and the spines are straight. In its homeland, Astrophytum ornatum reaches a height of 1 m. Plants bloom only in adulthood. Felt specks arranged in stripes and yellow-brown spines give this cactus a special decorative effect.

Astrophytum hybr.

Back in the 19th century, Abbe Beguin received the first Astrophytum hybrid. Crossing various types of astrophytums made it possible to obtain many more or less speckled and prickly plants with varying degrees of ribs.

Browningia ( Browningia hertlingiana).

Due to the beautiful blue waxy coating on the stems, young specimens of this large South American columnar cactus can be found in hobbyist collections. A blue wax coating is formed on the stems only when the content is warm and light, and only in cacti with a height of at least 10-15 cm. It is necessary to moderately water the plants and spray them with water. Look at these types of home cacti in the photo, from which majestic and amazing succulents look at us:

Cephalocereus - types of fluffy cacti

The only species of fluffy cacti is the senile cephalocereus (Cephalocereus senilis) from Mexico, characterized by long, hanging, silvery-white hairs that completely cover the stem of the plant.

Cephalocereus senile, "old man's head" ( Cephalocereus senilis).

Due to its typical white hairy pubescence, young specimens of this large columnar cactus are often kept by hobbyists in their collections. Cephalocereus must be kept in a bright and warm place in a well-permeable substrate and watered very sparingly.

Cereus Peruvian ( Cereus peruvianus).

Sometimes in large greenhouses, and in the Mediterranean in botanical gardens or gardens at hotels, you can see tall, up to 4 m tall, columns of cereus, which bloom profusely there with large, yellowish-white, hairless flowers. If we do not take into account seedlings grown from mixtures of seeds, then we cultivate a predominantly ugly form of the Peruvian cereus. At the beginning of the century, the Peruvian cereus was present in almost every collection of cacti, but today this cactus is not often available for sale, although it grows well when the conditions are right for it. It is necessary to ensure that pests such as mealybugs do not settle in the folds and branches of the stem. Look at these types of cacti in the photo with the names, which show specimens grown at home:

Cleistocactus - rare species of large cacti

These columnar species of large cacti are distinguished by attractive spines. In some species, upon reaching a height of 20-40 cm, the plants begin to bloom profusely with flowers of interesting shape. Elongated, tubular, densely covered with scales on top, sometimes giving the impression of broken flowers, are adapted for pollination by hummingbirds. Plants must be kept in a bright place, however, shaded from direct sunlight in the midday hours. During the growth period, cleistocactus require abundant watering and regular fertilizing.

Cleistocactus Ritter ( Cleistocactus ritterii).

Thanks to its white spines and yellow-green flowers appearing abundantly in plants from 40 cm high between long, white hairs, a rare species of cactus is of interest and is cultivated with pleasure by amateurs.

Cleistocactus emerald ( Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus).

This species has red flowers with a green border. The plant begins to bloom when it reaches a height of about 25 cm. In winter, the cactus must be kept in conditions that are neither too cool nor too dry.

Cleistocactus Strauss ( Cleistocactus strausii).

These cacti, densely covered with white spines and hairs, are well known to hobbyists.

Coryphanthus - types of small cacti and succulents with pictures

These types of cacti and succulents in a non-flowering state are very difficult to distinguish from mammillaria. Only in flowering plants do typical papillae wrinkled above appear, from the axils of which flowers develop. This genus combines species of small cacti with powerful hard spines and large flowers. The main habitats of these cacti in natural conditions are Mexico and the southern states of the United States. Korifashy require sunny warm conditions in greenhouse conditions and do not grow well on the windowsill, but they develop well on a sunny flower window or in an appropriate greenhouse. Plants prefer somewhat larger than usual pots and a clay-containing soil substrate.

Coryphanthus start growing a little later than other cacti in spring, so watering should also start later. Flowers bloom in summer or early autumn. Plants are not watered in winter.

Some species form small daughter shoots ("babies"), the roots of which often develop on the mother plant. They can be easily separated and cultivated as individual plants. However, the ability to bloom appears only when plants reach a certain size. In this case, more woolly hairs or spines sometimes form at the apex, and typical wrinkles appear on the areola. Look at these types of cacti in the pictures, which show different flowering specimens:

Echinocereus

Cacti from the genus Echinocereus (Echinocereus) are especially popular among hobbyists due to their often beautiful, decorative spines. In addition, the large, prickly, most often green-stigmated flowers do not fade for many days. The cultivation conditions of Echinocereus vary in accordance with the area of ​​​​their distribution in natural conditions. All Echinocereus love warm and sunny conditions in winter. Some species grow very large, others grow well only in greenhouses.

However, there are also species that can be successfully grown in sunny windows or in a greenhouse. Some species in the warm season are taken out into the street, placed in a sunny place.

The substrate for Echinocereus should be predominantly mineral and contain a lot of weathered clay and coarse sand. In spring, adult flowering plants should be watered only after the flower buds become clearly visible, otherwise they will stop their development. During the growing season in early summer, cacti are watered abundantly, the rest of the time, watering is rather moderate. In winter, plants should be kept dry and, if possible, in a bright place. When kept completely dry, some species, such as E. pectinatus, E. reichenbachii, E. triglochidiatus or E. viridiflorus, tolerate short light night frosts.

Echinocereus Knippel ( Echinocereus knippelianus).

This small Echinocereus, which has very flat ribs and often no spines at all, has a thick, turnip-like root and, when cultivated on its roots, requires special attention when watering. Plants are often sold grafted onto other cacti; in this case they grow faster and bloom profusely in early spring with beautiful pink flowers. This practically thornless cactus must be very carefully accustomed to the sun in the spring, after which it also tolerates a sunny location.

Echinocereus comb ( Echinocereus pectinatus).

This species - at the same time being a representative of a whole group of closely related cacti - is popular with hobbyists for its comb-like spines, the color of which can sometimes vary in growth zones, and for its most often carmine-red flowers with a light or white-green center. These plants have a rather delicate root system, prefer a mineral substrate and love a lot of sun. They grow well mainly in greenhouses or a suitable greenhouse, however, plants grafted onto low rootstocks can also be grown on a southern windowsill or in a closed flower window facing south.

Echinofossulocactus

Cacti of this genus, characterized by thin wavy ribs, are easy to cultivate and very popular with cactus lovers. In their homeland in Mexico, Echinofossu locactus grow in dry steppes. Accordingly, in culture, they prefer a substrate containing more humus and a light, but shaded location from direct sunlight. Since the flowers appear in early spring, winter keeping in a bright place is recommended.

Echinofossulocactus curly ( Echinofossulocactus crispatus).

In Echinofossulocactus, it is very difficult to establish a boundary between individual species. At present, a number of beautiful forms merged under the name Echinofossulocactus crispatus. It is very interesting to watch how white flowers with a wide light or dark purple stripe in the center of the petals make their way at the crown through a labyrinth of dense, long and sometimes widely flattened central spines.

Echinopsis

Like the related genera Trichocereus and Lobivia, Echinopsis flowers are distinguished by a clearly defined wreath of stamens emerging from the throat. Trichocereus grow columnar, in lobies the floral tube is usually shorter. Cacti of this genus have been known for a very long time, typical echinopsis with long white or pink funnel-shaped flowers are popular not only among cacti growers, but also among flower lovers in general. The name used - peasant cactus - came from the fact that in the window flower boxes of peasant houses one can see old and abundantly flowering specimens of this plant.

Echinopsis obrepanda.

Today, under this name, many slightly different forms are combined. The plants originate from the highlands and are very hardy, but are quite susceptible to sunburn in early spring. The spines are stiff and bent towards the stem. Due to the turnip roots, it is recommended to use a substrate that is not very flat and well permeable. The flowers of the original species are white, but there are forms with flowers from pink and pale purple to dark red. Compared to the stem, the flowers are long and large and look beautifully shaped with their recurved narrow outer petals.

Espostoa

This impressive columnar cactus, which reaches its homeland, prefers even conditions and not very cool conditions in winter. In full splendor appears only when cultivated in a greenhouse. However, due to their beautiful white woolly pubescence, the young plants of Espostoa are grown by amateurs also on bright windows. Plants should not be sprayed with water, as otherwise an ugly limescale deposit may appear on the white hairs.

Eulychnia

This columnar cactus is also more suitable for cultivation in greenhouses, but young plants of Eulychnia with their decorative spines and sometimes white felt or shaggy hairy pubescence of areoles are also grown in small collections.

ferocactus

These cacti in their homeland often grow into huge balls. However, young plants attract hobbyists with their powerful, often beautifully colored, flattened or hooked central spines, which appear especially large in young plants. Recently, show specimens grown in floricultural farms in Tenerife with a diameter of 30 cm with well developed spines, especially species such as Ferocactus latispinus and F. wislizenii, have begun to arrive in Germany. which are great for keeping in closed, south-facing) flower windows. Ferocactus love a lot of heat and sun. As mentioned above when describing Echinocactus Gruzon (Echinocactus grusonii), the temperature in winter should not fall below 12 ° C, in addition, plants like to have “warm feet”.

Gymnocalycium

The vast majority of hymnocalyciums are easily recognizable by their tuberculate ribs, which have horizontal folds between the areoles. Flowers are also very typical, bearing large round and bare scales on the outside.

According to the extended area of ​​​​distribution in natural conditions, hymnocalyciums have different requirements in culture. However, most of them need a humus-containing, yet well-permeable soil mixture, which should be slightly acidic; hymnocalyciums are sensitive to having alkaline reaction substrate.

Therefore, it is necessary to water these cacti with soft or slightly acidified water. Gymnocalyciums, which most often have few spines and therefore appear green, prefer a light, but not sunny location. Of the many cultivated species, hobbyists with limited opportunities to house a cactus collection prefer the remaining small Gymnocalyciums. The following species are suitable for growing in a window room.

Gymnocalycium Mikhanovich variety of Friedrich ( Gymnocalycium michanovichii var. Friedrichii Rubra).

With mass sowing of G. michanovichii var. friedrichii, some seedlings accidentally mutated. Chlorophyll was completely absent in their tissues, so that only a pure red color remained from the red-green color of the stem. Japanese flower growers took advantage of the opportunity presented to them and successfully grafted these seedlings onto the rootstock, since without their own chlorophyll they would not be viable. As a result of subsequent selection work, forms with bright red, yellow and crimson stem color were obtained from them. All these forms do not have chlorophyll, so they can only be cultivated in a grafted state. Sometimes these plants even bloom. Since there is often a contradiction between the inherently slow growth of G. michanovichii and the fast growth of the rootstock, these plants are not particularly long-lived. Even maintenance with regular watering and a bright place, however, shaded from direct sunlight, is recommended.

Haageocereus

This columnar, as a rule, only in greenhouses. However, due to their attractive, sometimes fiery red, yellow or dark brown spines, young plants are also popular in small collections with hobbyists. Haageocereus prefer a well-permeable substrate and a warm, sunny location. After a short summer rest period, the plants resume growth in the fall, and therefore, unlike most other cacti, they need regular watering at this time. These cacti should winter at a temperature of 10-15 ° C.

Hildevinter

Hildewinter flowers with an inner circle of short light petals can hardly be confused with flowers of other cacti. Cactus growers blame this species for its golden-yellow spines densely covering the stems and plentiful. Thanks to its drooping shoots, this one is used as an ampelous plant.

Types of mamillaria cacti (with photo)

Mamillaria cacti are especially popular with cactus growers. Some hobbyists concentrate entirely on growing Mammillaria cactus species and have noteworthy collections of these plants. Mammillaria lovers in some countries have created special societies that publish their own newspapers. Mammillaria stand out from other cacti due to their mathematically precise arrangement of spines, which sometimes contrast effectively with the white hairy or woolly pubescence in the flowering zone of the plant.

The red flowers are most often small, however, they appear as a whole wreath around the crown of the cactus. After flowering, fruits arranged in the form of a wreath can also be a spectacular decoration. The hallmarks of this highly species-rich genus are the non-wrinkled papillae that form the stalk and the flowers that emerge from the depressions between the papillae (the axils). Many species of this genus are beautiful, cultivated and unpretentious. Almost all, especially the cushion-forming species, prefer wider and lower pots, and all like a well-permeable soil substrate with the addition of a large amount of coarse sand. Those species that have such dense spines or such strong hairy or woolly hair that they appear white or yellow prefer a particularly light, sunny and warm location and need more moderate watering.

Species that give the impression of green plants require, although light, but shaded from direct sunlight at noon, they tolerate a substrate containing much more humus and more plentiful.

Many mammillaria are great for window sill cultivation. Thanks to the warmth behind the window glass, heated by the rays of the spring sun, they often bloom there already in March and therefore also require appropriate watering. Mammillaria growing in height with short-cylindrical stems tend to tilt the top towards the light, that is, towards the window glass. Therefore, the hobbyist has to observe a less decorative backside, but in any case one should not try to correct this by constantly turning the plant pots. Despite the relatively small seed size, mammillaria are easy to grow from seed. Seedlings bloom, as a rule, in the third or fourth year after sowing.

Mammillaria bokasskaya ( Marnmillaria bocasana).

Due to its dense white felt-hairy pubescence, an interesting looking appearance; each areole has a single central spine, with a hook at the top. The long red fruits are more beautiful than the small nondescript cream flowers. The plant is quite sensitive to excess water; a well-permeable substrate and moderate watering is recommended.

Marnmillaria elongata.

The splendor of this plant is due not to the rather nondescript yellowish-white flowers, but to the spines painted in various tones from light to dark yellow, reddish or brown. Thanks to abundant branching, it forms large decorative groups of elongated shoots as thick as a finger. Recommended sunny location, well-permeable substrate and moderate watering.

Mammillaria long papillary ( Marnmillaria longimamma).

Distinctive feature of this species are unusually long papillae and bright yellow, relatively large flowers. Cleanly cut and sufficiently dried papillae can take root and thus form new plants.

Mammillaria large papillary ( Marnmillaria magnimamma).

At present, under this name, a whole group of slightly different forms is combined, the most famous of which is still often called M. centricirha. In any case, all forms contain milky juice. In this case, we are talking about typical representatives of the so-called "green mammillaria", which form large and often very beautiful curtains with age with a spectacular contrast between green stems, white felt hairs in the axils of the papillae and red flowers. Plants must be kept in a bright place, otherwise the spines do not develop well.

Marnmillaria zeilmanniana.

This species also has hooked spines, however, unlike M. bocasana, the sinuses between the papillae are bare. Already young small plants bloom profusely with purple-red, rarely white flowers. Flowering specimens in huge quantities go on sale every year on the eve of Mother's Day. The plant gives offspring and over the years forms large curtains. Prefers flat, wide pots and well-permeable, sandy substrate. Look at the types of mamillaria cacti in the photo and the descriptions above will acquire a characteristic visual shape:

Neoporteria

Most cacti of the genus Neoporteria, which have long turnip-like roots, dark almost black stems or thick spines, are adapted to the extreme conditions of existence in their homeland on the sea coasts and in the mountainous regions of Chile and are complex in culture. However, there are species that, with a certain flair, can be grown in small amateur collections.

Neoporteria gerocephala.

Dense, intertwined spines vary in color from creamy white to dark brown. In carmine-red, yellow inside flowers, even after full blooming, the inner petals remain folded together. Flowers appear in late autumn or early spring. A well-permeable, predominantly mineral substrate and moderate watering are recommended.

Neoporteria paucicostata.

This species is also highly variable. Particularly prized are plants with blue-green stems and black spines on the top of the head at the point of new growth. Pale reddish-white flowers open fully.

notocactus

These are small, globular cacti, most easily recognizable by their conspicuous purple stigmas. Among the notocacti, there are many species that are suitable for growing by beginners and for small collections. All of them need a substrate with the addition of a certain amount of humus and a bright, warm location. However, species with few spines should not be kept in full sun. In general, notocacti prefer even growing conditions and require not very cool and not meanly dry conditions in winter.

Notocactus Haselberga ( Notocactus haselbergii).

The crown of this species is unusually obliquely flattened. The stigmas, unlike other notocacti, are dark yellow. Already at the very beginning of spring, red buds appear on the oblique crown tilted towards the light.

Notocactus Lehninghaus ( Notocactus leninghausii).

This species has short-cylindrical stems and differs from the usual portrait of globular notocatus. Thanks to its dense golden yellow spines and yellow flowers that appear on plants from 20 cm high, the cactus looks highly decorative. The top grows obliquely in the direction of the light. Do not change the position of the plant relative to the light.

Notocactus Otto ( Notocactus ottonis).

This species was formerly a standard plant for cactus enthusiasts and is often found commercially today. This green plant with few thorns and a woolly crown must be kept in a light, but not sunny, place. Silky-yellow flowers have red stigmas characteristic of notocactus proper.

Notocactus submammulosus var. pampeanus.

Interesting in this variety are light, awl-shaped flattened central spines and yellow flowers with a typical red stigma.

Types of flat prickly pear cacti (with photo)

Prickly pear, with its often disc-shaped flattened, jointed shoots, is a well-known cactus. Many saw species of prickly pear cactus growing wild there in the Mediterranean, and some, probably, even brought their shoots from there. These types of flat cacti prefer a well-permeable substrate and a very sunny, without any shade, place. Otherwise, they grow thin, elongated shoots.

Only very few species are suitable for cultivation in a sunny window, to which shoots brought from the Mediterranean are usually not included. Prickly pear also bloom only under optimal conditions and almost all tend to grow into very large plants.

However, at the disposal of lovers with the appropriate conditions there are very beautiful, with a blue wax coating and decorative thorns on the stems, abundantly flowering plants. To this it should be added that although many of them have beautiful spines, however, if they are carelessly touched, hundreds of very small and thin hairs (glochidia) dig into the skin with their hook-shaped outgrowths. Prickly pear should never be taken with bare hands!

Prickly pear ( Opuntia microdasys).

This species is still fairly common on the market. The very short, hairy spines make the segmented stems appear to be covered in small pads. There are forms with white, yellow, reddish and brown spines. Species of the subgenus Tephrocactus originating from the Andean highlands can be cultivated in greenhouses (Group 4). Some hardy prickly pear in viticultural areas with good drainage can also be grown in open rock gardens. Look at the types of prickly pear cactus in the photo, which, combined with the descriptions, will make it possible to create a completely correct picture:

Oreocereus - types of cacti without thorns: names and photos

Thick hairs covering the plant protect it from night frosts at home. These types of thornless cacti are widespread in cultural floriculture. The flowers of this columnar cactus appear only when grown in a greenhouse. However, young specimens of this cactus, covered with white hairy pubescence and sometimes powerful spines, are also grown with pleasure by amateurs in small collections. True, being cacti originating from high mountain regions, they grow worse in living rooms with their even climatic conditions than in suitable greenhouses. For oreocereus, regular airing and a large difference between winter and summer, as well as day and night, are desirable. In summer, the night coolness after a hot day, which brings with it a higher relative humidity of the air - that's optimal conditions for these cacti. Look at these types of thornless cacti in the photo, where prominent distinctive botanical characteristics are:

Oreocereus Troll ( Oreocereus trollii).

This cactus is densely shrouded in white hairs. The central flowers, breaking through the hairy cover, are yellow to reddish in color.

Types of cactus parody

In appearance, parody cacti are very similar to notocacti, but do not have a red stigma and, on the contrary, are very often covered with hooked spines. Among the parodies there are many unpretentious in culture, with beautiful spines, abundant flowering species, which are suitable for keeping also in small collections. The seeds of many types of parodies are very small, so sowing requires great skill. When the seedlings reach a certain size, their cultivation is most often not a problem.

Parodia mutabilis.

The hallmarks of these commonly found plants are powerful yellow spines with a hook at the end and yellow flowers.

Schwebs parody ( Parodia schwebsiana).

Like many parodies, the plant, which takes on a short-columnar shape with age, is distinguished by its white-pubescent top, which is decorated with more and more groups of red flowers for several weeks.

phyllocactus

Phyllocactus stems are dihedral in cross-section, leaf-like flattened and almost always devoid of thorns. While most cultivated cacti are wild-growing species, phyllocactus are hybrid forms, of which many thousands have been obtained from the beginning of the last century to the present. The original genera are Heliocereus and Nopalxonia, which grow vertically and bloom with red flowers. Later, the white-flowered epiphytic Epiphyllum crenatum was added to them, and, finally, to get even larger flowers, the “queen of the night” (Selenicereus).

These hybrid cacti, which vary greatly in growth form, color and flower size, are one of the most popular indoor plants. Sometimes in front of peasant estates you can find old specimens kept in harsh conditions, which are distinguished by unusually lush flowering.

The flowers can reach a diameter of 20 cm and with their bright colors (from white, yellow, salmon to red and red-violet flowers), they are among the most beautiful in the entire cactus family. When obtaining separate forms for crossing, we used different parents so cultural requirements also vary. There are very large sizes and smaller, with vertical and curved shoots, sensitive and less sensitive varieties. Many modern, highly valued cultivars come from the USA, where, under optimal climatic conditions, they were selected for only one criterion: the beauty of their flowers. In other cultivation conditions, these plants sometimes disappoint their owners. For beginners, well-known, well-established varieties will bring more joy.

Since almost all varietal forms were obtained as parents of epiphytic plants, phyllocactus is grown in a well-permeable soil mixture for cacti with the addition of sand, perlite and sometimes sphagnum.

These plants must be kept in a bright, but rather semi-shaded place; although they bloom luxuriantly in the sun, their leaves very quickly become covered with ugly burns. In summer, it is very favorable to keep it outdoors on a stand in the light shade of a tree, so that the plant is shaded from direct sunlight, especially in the hottest midday hours. In winter, most varieties need to be kept at 8 - 10°C and in completely dry conditions. cut leaf-shaped segments of the stems, which must be cut and dried again before rooting.

Pilosocereus (Pilosocereus palmeri).

This columnar cactus, covered with a blue wax coating, at a height of about 50 cm, long decorative hairy bunches appear in the areoles, which at the top of the stem form a kind of hairy cap - pseudocephaly. Only when favorable conditions and when the plant reaches a certain age, red-brown flowers appear from this hairy cap. (When cultivated in greenhouses, the species blooms easily.) Check out these types of thornless cacti - their photos and names will help you make the right choice of plants for your home:

Rebutia

Rebutia are small ribbed or papillary globular cacti. Without flowers, they are easily confused with lobivia or mammillaria. A typical feature is the flowers appearing at the bottom side, at the base of the stem, while almost all other spherical cacti have flowers blooming at the top.

Rebutias are popular among cactus lovers and are often found on sale. If their requirements in culture are observed, they grow well, and all rebutia willingly and profusely bloom in spring with numerous variegated and bright flowers.

In addition, they are easily propagated by seeds, and seedlings of some species often bloom already in the second year after sowing. Since rebutias most often come from high mountain areas, they prefer a bright but not very hot location, plenty of fresh air and a pronounced temperature difference between day and night, as well as winter and summer. When grown in stagnant suffocating air or in even warm conditions of living rooms, plants wither and become especially susceptible to insect damage. especially the red spider mite. However, rebutia grow excellently in greenhouses or during the growing season on outdoor windowsills. There they can be immediately buried in large quantities, for example, in a flat balcony flower box filled with loose substrate. Wintering should be cool and dry, otherwise rebutia bloom poorly. Some species are very variable, often even in culture, as a result of cross-pollination, hybrid forms are involuntarily formed, which then multiply further.

Rebutia heliosa.

Thanks to the beautiful spines that justify the Latin name of the plant "sun-shaped", and elegant orange flowers, this species looks very attractive. Under the conditions of culture, thanks to the offspring at the base of the stem, it forms whole curtains. Sometimes in the middle of summer, the plants have a summer dormant period, during which they need to be watered very sparingly. Reproduction from offspring ("children") is not difficult, but in this case, plants often do not form a turnip root. Grafted plants often give the impression of being overfed.

Rebutia dwarf ( Rebutia pygmaea).

This species belongs to the group of rebutias with short-cylindrical stems and forming curtains due to the large number of offspring. The plant has a turnip root, so it is recommended to use a well-permeable substrate for cultivation.

Ripsalidopsis

Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri("Easter" cactus).

Like the "Christmas" cactus, this plant has flattened, leaf-like, jointed stems, but forms radially symmetrical flowers. This leading epiphytic cactus on its own roots is quite sensitive. The substrate for it should be well permeable and have a slightly acidic reaction (pH value from 5 to 5.5). It is recommended to use light, containing peat soil mix with a significant addition of perlite and sphagnum. The substrate and irrigation water should not contain magnesium and calcium salts. The soil in the pot must always be kept slightly moist, in addition, these cacti like higher humidity. For the summer, the plant can be taken out on Fresh air and place in the light shade of a tree or large bush. In dry, hot weather, regular spraying with water is necessary. A light dormant period from October to February during the shortest days, overwintering at around 10°C and reduced watering encourage flower bud set. From mid-February, the plants are transferred to a warmer place.

Rhipsalis - types of cacti with leaves

These types of leafy cacti may have flattened leaf-like stems, like those of phyllocactus, in other species they branch profusely and consist of coral-like, thin, rounded segments. The flowers are very small, and white, mistletoe-like berries often develop as fruits.

These epiphytic cacti are cultivated as companion plants in orchid, bromeliad and tillandsia collections. It is together with these plants that various types of ripsalis grow in natural conditions and therefore have similar requirements in culture. The substrate and irrigation water should be slightly acidic.

Many species have arcuate drooping shoots, so they are grown as ampelous plants or in orchid baskets. In summer, plants can be kept in the light shade of a tree outside. Numerous small flowers appear in winter, so in winter time plants should be in a bright and warm place. A flower showcase or a closed flower window is very suitable for this, in which the above-mentioned epiphytic plants are grown. After flowering, the plants are decorated with numerous berry-like fruits.

Schlumberger ( Zygocactus) x Schlumbergera truncata "Christmas" cactus.

Like the "Easter" cactus, the stems of this plant consist of leaf-shaped flattened, short segments. In addition to the natural, red-flowered form, there are now magnificent varieties with flowers of various colors: from white and pink to yellow and red-violet. The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds and, unlike the flowers of "Easter" cacti, have a zygomorphic structure. Flowering time falls on the Christmas holidays, since the laying of flower buds occurs with a decrease in the length of daylight hours. Schlumbergers are grown similarly to ripsalidopsis and ripsalis in a light, slightly acidic and well-permeable substrate. Plants prefer a light, however, not sunny location. In summer, these cacti are kept in their usual place in the room or taken outside and placed in light shade under a tree. In the latter case, care must be taken to protect plants from snails. A light dormant period from mid-September to mid-November with a decrease in watering along with a short daylight hours contributes to the formation of flower buds. Once buds have appeared, plants should not be rearranged or rotated and should be moistened regularly and kept warm, otherwise dropping buds is observed. Along with plants growing on their roots, there are also standard forms grafted onto Peireskia or Selenicereus.

Selenicereus grandiflorus Selenicereus grandiflora, "Queen of the Night".

These large cacti have thin, serpentine, creeping or climbing shoots. They are among the most popular cacti, although they are grown by only a very few cacti growers. Nevertheless, the plant, which simultaneously blooms many magnificent flowers up to 25 cm in diameter, is an unforgettable sight. The flowers open in the evening and remain open for only a few hours. In the morning they wither. The plant is cultivated in a large pot or flower tub in a predominantly humus-containing but nevertheless well-permeable substrate. Regular fertilizing is a prerequisite for strong growth and abundant flowering. Shoots are tied to a solid support. Plants prefer a warm and light, but not very sunny location. In winter, they must be kept at a temperature of at least 15 ° C and keep the substrate slightly moist.

Setiechinopsis ( Setiechinopsis mirabilis)

After reaching a height of only 10 cm, the plant develops more and more groups of its elegant white flowers that bloom at night. Many seeds are produced by self-pollination.

Stetson Stetsonia coryne.

The seeds of this species, which grows in its homeland in the form of a tree-like cactus, are often found in mixtures of cactus seeds. Young plants with columnar bluish-green stems and long black spines are extremely attractive. V-shaped fruits are formed above the areoles. Stetsonia must be cultivated in warm conditions, even in winter the temperature should not fall below 15 ° C. Plants require moderate watering.

Sulcorebutia.

Compared to the similar genus Rebutia, sulcorebutia have narrow, linear areoles and pectinately arranged hard spines. The flowers outside are fairly large, wide scales. The genus was isolated only in 1951, and then only one single species was known. Thanks to numerous scientific expeditions and travels to collect new species, so many attractive plants have been found that it almost made Sulcorebutia one of the most popular cacti. True, due to confusion with collection numbers, names and varieties, it is currently very difficult to navigate among plants of this genus; however, taxonomic issues aside, sulcorebutia are small, globular cacti with beautiful spines and numerous attractive flowers in a variety of bright colors.

Almost all species vary in the color of the spines and flowers, and most form numerous offspring. Sulcorebutia, like lobivia and rebutia, should be kept in fairly "Spartan" conditions. They require a bright, but not hot place.

A significant difference in day and night, as well as summer and winter temperatures is desirable. Sulcorebutia do not grow well in constantly well-heated living rooms, but thrive in regularly ventilated greenhouses or on a weather-protected outside window sill. Wintering should be cool and dry.

Telocactus.

The genus includes globular or slightly elongated cacti with both ribbed and papillary stems. Typical for the genus is that the flowers appear at the end of a short groove at the very top of the stem. Many hobbyists especially appreciate telocacti for their powerful, sometimes variegated spines and large flowers. Telocacti prefer a predominantly mineral substrate and should be kept in a sunny and warm place during the growing season. In winter, they can be kept in cool and completely dry conditions. They are suitable cacti for cultivation in a closed sunny flower window.

Trichocereus

This large columnar cactus has stamens arranged in a stepped wreath, similar to representatives of the genera Echinopsis and Lobivia. Many trichocereus bloom only in greenhouse conditions, however, young specimens are happy to be kept by amateurs and in small collections due to their attractive spines. The remaining small species also bloom only under favorable cultivation conditions. Trichocereus need nutritious, well-permeable soil and regular abundant fertilizing. In summer, plants are kept in the sun and warm, in winter - dry and cool.

Trichocereus fulvilanus.

This species is popular for its showy long spines. White flowers appear only on plants over one meter high.

Trichocereus hybr.

There are hybrids obtained by crossing such Trichocereus-owls as T. thelegonus, T. candicans or T. grandiflorus with various echinopsis. These hybrids have large, bright and well-formed flowers. Hybrid Trichocereus require warm, sunny conditions and good nutrition.

Turbinicarpus

These small, globular cacti with papery, hairy, or feathery spines are gaining in popularity among hobbyists. Even in a small room, you can collect a whole collection of them; usually still very small plants bloom profusely. In their homeland, turbinicarpus have to exist in difficult conditions. Plants are characterized by slow growth and in culture they should not be called more fast development. These cacti have turnip roots, so a well-permeable mineral substrate is recommended for their cultivation. Plants are planted in small but tall pots or planted in large quantities in a larger pot. Turbinicarpus are watered sparingly even during the growing season, with excessive watering they can stretch. In summer, the plants are kept in a warm and bright place, but not in the bright sun. Ideal wintering dry and cool. In places of natural growth, plants often become very rare and therefore protected by law. However, seed propagation under culture conditions is not difficult and does not present any particular problems.

Turbinicarpus valdezianus.

This species is very popular for its white feathery spines and purple-red flowers that bloom in early spring. Already in winter, buds in the form of small black dots are clearly visible on the top of the cactus.

Perhaps the most interesting and eye-catching among other plants is the cactus. Every year, cacti attract more and more people, primarily due to their unusual appearance and great variety. Now the whole world is full of cactus artists who collect entire collections at home. From exotic - cacti have long turned into home and houseplants. In the beginning, they appeared in botanical gardens, and from the 50s, they began to move to our window sills and tables.

In this article you can get acquainted not only with the varieties of cacti , but also with their names and photographs. Of course, it is impossible to tell about all of them, since today there are over 3,000 species, so we will tell you about the most interesting of them.

It is also worth noting that cacti are not only plants, but also food. Since ancient times, they have been used in various religious ceremonies, and today, the fruits and stems of cacti can be found in the Mexican market. Also, the plant was used for medical purposes, dyes were made from it, and even used as a building material. And, of course, the well-known tequila is produced from agave juice (a type of cactus).

Popular representatives of home cacti

As mentioned above, today there are a huge number of varieties of cacti. Here are just a few of them:

• flat
• Round
• without thorns
• blooming
• Stretched, etc.

You can list for a long time, but the main thing is that, for example, among the same flat cacti, there will be more than a dozen types to choose from, depending on the store. Therefore, in order not to write about everyone in a row, we have chosen the 15 most interesting and popular types of cacti, of course, with names and photos. Perhaps some of them are already known to you and are growing in your house in a pot, but, nevertheless, everyone will find something new for themselves. Let's start!

queen of the night Selenicereus grandiflorus)

It is notable primarily for its beautiful and large flower, with a very strong and pleasant aroma. Large, the flower is not called in vain, because in the open state, its diameter can reach 30 cm.
to admire and enjoy this extraordinary beauty, you can only at night, when the flower blooms. But remember that if you miss this moment, then the next time you have to wait a year, because the cactus blooms for only one night. However, this does not scare the cacti-lovers to have this copy at home. By the way, if your city has a greenhouse with the Queen of the Night, then you can find out when it will bloom and come to admire this beauty.

Cactus queen of the night

Mammillaria)

The most popular and common type of cactus that is grown at home. This species has several varieties, and the cactus itself does not need special care. The most important thing is a well-lit place and not too frequent watering, and you also need to make sure that pests do not appear. If you properly maintain the plant, then in the summer, the cactus will bloom and give you its beautiful flowers. Read more about the care and common types of Mammillaria

prickly pear ( Opuntia)

This family of cacti can safely be called the largest, as it has over 200 different species. The cacti themselves have flat appearance and a large number of spines. They grow in different ways - either spread on the ground, or reach up. Now, representatives of this species grow almost all over the world - from Canada to the Crimea. By the way, if in your region, the temperature in winter does not drop below 10 degrees, then you can find frost-resistant varieties and plant them, for example, in your garden. It is worth noting that in addition to beautiful flowers, the cactus can be eaten, but this is at your discretion. Read more about popular Opuntia species and care

prickly pear cactus

Euphorbia ( Euphorbia)

The flower was nicknamed so because of the milky viscous liquid that is released when the leaves or stems are broken. In no case, do not try to taste this liquid, because it is poisonous. Since ancient times, arrows have been impregnated with milkweed, and in Africa it is still used when fishing. The stems of the cactus are triangular in shape, and in addition to a large number of thorns, it grows tall. The content of the cactus is no different from other species, the only thing, because of its poisonous characteristics, it is better to keep it away from children. Read more about popular types of milkweed and care

cactus spurge

Gruzoni ( Echinocactus grusoniii)

Initially, the appearance resembles a ball, but as they grow, more mature plants take on a shape more like a barrel. Also, Gruzoni cacti are able to reach impressive sizes - up to 1 meter, both in length and in width. Throughout the plant, yellow spines are very abundant, which form a “cap” at the top. Because of this, people nicknamed the cactus "Golden Ball". Like many other cacti, Gruzoni blooms, but the first flowers can only be seen in those specimens that are over 20 years old.

Gruzoni cactus

Echinopsis)

No less frequent guest on the windowsills. At an early age, it looks like a small ball, but as it “growing up”, the plant stretches and, depending on the variety, can grow up to 2.5 meters. Echinopsis bloom usually begins in early summer. The older the plant, the more flowers it produces. The flowers themselves look like a bell and live up to 3 days. Cacti of this species are easy to care for, therefore, very often beginner gardeners choose them. Read more about popular types and care

Echinopsis cactus

Schlumberger ( Shhlumbergera) or zygocactus( Zygocactus) - Decembrist

This species has many names. It originally came from the forests of Brazil and was called Schlumbergera or Zygocactus there. But perhaps the most famous for him was the name Decembrist. This species is also quite popular around the world, primarily due to its beautiful flowers that begin to bloom with the first month of winter - hence the name. The Decembrist cactus has an unusual shape, it is more sprawling and can grow up to 1.5 meters wide. It is worth noting that, unlike other representatives, the cactus does not have thorns and loves frequent watering, but the sun does not tolerate very well. Read more about popular types and care

Schlumbergera

Cereus)

In their natural habitat, representatives of this genus are able to grow to fantastic sizes - 10 meters or more! In addition to its impressive size, the Cereus cactus (Cereus - a wax candle) is also a long-liver among its brethren. At home, the most common is the Peruvian variety, which grows 50-60 cm in height, but there have been cases when the plant reached the mark of 1 meter. During the flowering period, it throws out large white flowers, but, unfortunately, they begin to fade the very next day. The flowering itself, most often begins at the end of spring or early summer, although it is also possible in autumn, which happens much less often. Care for Cereus is the same as for other types of cacti. Read more about popular types and care

Cereus cactus

Epiphyllum)

This species differs from other cacti in that it is leaf-shaped. It is often called a cactus with leaves, probably because of the name Epiphyllum, because from Latin it is translated as: eri - from above, phyllum - leaf. In most cases, the plant is planted in a hanging pot so that it hangs its leaves down. Especially beautiful, the Epiphyllum cactus looks during the flowering period, and the flowers themselves, depending on the variety, can be of different colors and reach 35 cm in length. As for the size of the cactus itself, it usually grows up to one meter in height. It should not be watered too often, but it should be protected from direct sunlight, although the plant loves light. Read more about popular types and care

Cactus Epiphyllum

Gymnocalycium ( Gymnocalycium)

The cactus is shaped like a ball, which is why it is often called a round cactus. However, picking up this “ball” will not work, because it is very tightly protected by large thorns. However, it is not uncommon to find it in apartments or greenhouses. Plants grow up to 25-30 cm, and begin to bloom in the 3rd year. The flowers themselves may be different colors, and persist for up to 7 days, after which they begin to crumble. The cactus is not particularly demanding for care, so it will not cause problems. Read more about popular types and care

Cactus Gymnocalycium

Aporocactus Martius ( Aporocactus martianus)

This species attracts primarily with its unusualness. Due to the fact that many round prickly stalks grow from the pot, this cactus was popularly called the “rat tail” or “snake cactus”, as you like. Aporocactus Martius grows up to 1 meter in length. The flowering period is spring, and all 3 months. The flowers are medium, there are even large, dark pink. With age, the plant is transplanted into a hanging pot, from where it spreads its "tentacles". Read more about popular types and care for them.

Aporocactus Martius

Rebutia ( Rebutia)

Adult plants of this species, in diameter, do not exceed 10 cm, and the smallest variety of cactus has 5 cm at all. But, despite its not too big sizes, this “baby” blooms very beautifully, and the flowers themselves are very large. They can be any color, it all depends on the variety. If we talk about the flowering period, then this is the beginning-middle of spring, but there have been cases of repeated flowering in the fall. The Rebutia cactus has long settled on the windowsills of the inhabitants of our country, although Argentina is considered its homeland.

Lophophora ( Lophophora) - Peyote

Also known to some under the name Peyote, it is notable not for its appearance and not even for flowers, but for juice. It's all about its chemical composition. Since ancient times, the juice of this cactus was taken in small quantities as a medicine, but over time, people realized that if you increase the dosage, you can catch a "high". It is for these reasons that in many countries this species is banned. The cactus itself is ball-shaped and grows up to a maximum of 20 cm in diameter. Instead of the usual thorns, the cactus has fluffy tufts of hair, and in the summer it will give you beautiful flowers, from white to almost red.

Lophophora cactus

Mix colored cacti

If you do not know which cactus to choose, you can purchase a mix set. More and more often today in flower shops there are just such sets. They consist of several types of cacti, so before buying, ask which ones, so it will be easier for you to find information about them. Mix sets of colored cacti will be a great start for beginner cactus growers and may well complement an existing collection. Most importantly, observe the conditions of detention for each species, and then, during the flowering period, they will give you a chic bouquet.

It is worth talking a little about others, no less interesting views:

colorful cacti

Among the long cacti, several types can also be distinguished. The first is Carnegia giant. This cactus grows up to 15 meters, but don't expect a quick result. Usually, to grow up to 2-3 meters, the plant needs more than 30 years! Another species is Cereus. These cacti can grow even more - up to 20 meters.

Home blooming cacti photo

• Wilcoxia

Quite often, this cactus can be seen in flower shops. With proper care, it will delight you with small colorful flowers every year in the spring.

Wilcoxia bloom

• Rebutia

Another frequent guest, both on the shelves and in houses and apartments. Blooms from March to April. The flowers themselves are large, sometimes exceeding the size of the plant itself.

Rebutia bloom

We wrote about this cactus above, so we just recall that it blooms in summer, and the flowers that appear around the top of the cactus resemble a wreath. Read more about the care and common types of Mammillaria

Mammillaria bloom

• frailei

Outwardly, this cactus is no different from others, but it is valued primarily for its large yellow flowers, which, although not very numerous, are very beautiful.

frailene bloom

It is one of the most common and popular flowering species. For beginners, usually a cactus produces no more than 1 flower, while for an experienced gardener, this number can approach 10! Read more about popular home types and care

Echinopsis bloom

• Prickly pear

You can read about Opuntia above. One has only to recall that it blooms in the spring, it can be planted in open ground, and during the flowering period, the cactus will delight you with red or yellow flowers. Read more about popular types and care

prickly pear bloom

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Classification of cacti by group characteristics

All representatives can be divided into three groups:

• Pereskievye;
• prickly pear;
• Cereus.

These species differ in structure. So, Peresciaceae have round stems and flat leaves. which are covered with straight spines. often bloom solitary flowers. Differs in edible fruits.

Opuntia cacti are different small leaves covered with thorns. In addition to spines, they also have glochidia. Glochidia are the modified leaves of a plant. Flowering large. The colors are varied. The fruits are mostly edible.

Cereus leaves and glochidia are absent. This is the largest family, which includes a variety of species. In some representatives, the fruits are edible. In general, Cereus cacti prefer dry areas.

cactus bloom

All varieties bloom, but not every representative will please with their flowering at home. In order for the culture to bloom, you will need to create the right conditions for it..

Flowering depends on the variety. There are representatives with small flowers (Mammillaria). And in other species - large sizes. For example, this applies to Echinopsis. The size of its flower can reach 15 cm.

Flower color is varied: white, pink, red. So, for example, night flowers (that is, those that bloom at night) are distinguished by a pale color - white, cream or light pink. Daytime - can have almost any color. The exceptions are blue and black.

The main varieties and their names

All cacti can be conditionally divided into groups:

• Room;
• Forest;
• Desert.

Indoor

Indoor cacti are called cacti that adapt to home growing conditions.

To the room can be attributed:

• Echinocereus;
• Notocactus otto;
• Spurge;
• Small-haired prickly pear;
• Rebutia.

These species fit perfectly in room conditions and bloom with proper care. Some may bloom in the first year of life, for example, some Mammillaria.

Forest

The most popular representatives of forest crops include:

• Decembrist;

Decembrist and ripsadolipsis are similar in appearance. However, the petals of ripsalidopsis grow straight, not folded back. Coloring is red.

Epiphyllum has a not very neat shape. The specific epiphyllum is remarkable for flowers of red shades. However, many varieties with a variety of colors have been bred.

Decembrist different flowering in winter. This is a very common variety. It blooms with white, pink, purple and red flowers.

Also included in the forest:

1. Discocactus. It has a round stem shape, blooms with a single white flower;
2. Prickly pear. Remarkable not only orange flowers but also edible fruits. Some of them have a pleasant taste and useful properties;
3. Pereskia;
4. melocactus.

Desert

The species of desert spiny should include:

• Mammillaria;
• Eriosice;
• Echinocactus;
• Echinocereus;
• Rebutia.

Most representatives bloom indoors beautiful flowers . Some of them have the ability to bloom in the first year of life.

Determination of the type by external qualities

Growing a cactus but don't know what it's called? You can determine the variety by its external data.

blooming

All cacti bloom, but not all can bloom at home. Wherein flowering varies by variety.

They bloom mostly in small flowers. Possible colors: yellow and pink. There are several flowers, they may not open at the same time, but alternately.

Has many varieties. That's why flower colors are varied: white, yellow, red, hot pink. Blooms with numerous flowers.

Notable for the fact that only one flower blooms. However, it is large and yellow in color.

Decembrist or Schlumberer

Notable for the fact that blooms in winter. They call it a Decembrist because it blooms on New Year's Eve. Flowering is large and has a red color.

cacti with leaves

In general, all representatives have leaves. However, they are represented by thorns. If we talk about cacti, which really there are leaves familiar to everyone, then you can call Pachypodium.

prickly pear have leaves in the form of elongated cakes, on which spines are located.

poinsettia characterized by large leaves of light green color with denticles along the edges.

Long

Cereus are considered the highest. The height of some representatives reaches 20 meters. At home, of course, they do not reach such heights. But they could, if the ceilings of the apartments did not interfere with them. Cereus is distinguished not only by its height, but also by its excellent flowering, large white with a creamy tint. In addition, they have an incredible aroma.

Up to 2 meters in height Euphorbia can grow.

Cactus with long needles

Long needles can boast Echinocactus (Echinopsis white-flowered), Carnegia, some varieties of Mammillaria, Ferocactus. This is far from a complete list.

Decorative

Most varieties are decorative. Both flowers and stems and leaves of this culture are decorative. Among the most commonly grown in the house are:

• Mammillaria(differ in beautiful flowering);
• Decembrist(distinguished by luxurious flowering in winter);
• poinsettia(a type of milkweed, beautifully blooms with large flowers);
• spurge(all types of milkweed differ not only decorative properties, but also curative);
• Pachypodium(a very original representative with long leaves);
• (decorative with long shoots and large flowers);
• (culture with an original spherical stem with one large snow-white flower).

fluffy

Espostow called fluffy cactus. This is a culture of Perunian origin. This species is called fluffy because of the hairs that play a protective function. The height of this culture in room conditions does not exceed 70 cm, in natural conditions it can grow up to 5 meters.

non-thorny cactus

to the cacti that do not have spines, include some types of Ariocarpus. This is an original culture with an unusual stem and a large single flower. It can also be attributed astrophytum Asterias. This species is distinguished by a beautiful and very large single flower in the form of a chamomile, which is located at the top of the stem.

Thus, in nature there is a huge variety of different cultures. All cacti differ in height, flowering, needles. Everyone can choose a plant to their liking. Cactus - the original culture with the most incredible flowering. What could be more interesting than a blooming cactus?

proklumbu.com

General information about cacti

Cacti are a relatively young family of plants on our planet; they appeared at a time when mammals already reigned on earth. The homeland of cacti is South America, from where they settled throughout the Western Hemisphere. And thanks to migratory birds, some of their species came to Africa and Asia.

At their core, all cacti are succulents, that is, plants that can accumulate water in the stems in case long periods droughts. A distinctive feature that distinguishes the cactus family is the presence of areoles in them - special modified branches that have the shape of kidneys. It is from the areoles that thorns, flowers and “children” grow in cacti, with the help of which cacti carry out vegetative reproduction.

Cacti are truly unique plants. Even their photosynthesis goes differently than the rest of the plant world: carbon dioxide for it is collected by the plant at night, and not during the day. This is due to the fact that during the day, in order to avoid moisture loss, the stomata of the cactus are closed.

The living conditions of cacti are the most extreme. Some of them live in desert regions with disastrous daily temperature fluctuations and very little rainfall. Others, on the contrary, live in conditions of exceptional humidity, capable of destroying all other plant species.

The appearance of cacti has always surprised flower growers: the appearance of the plant cannot be called attractive or friendly, but the flowers that appear on it from time to time can capture the imagination of any connoisseur.

cacti classification

From the point of view of biology, cacti are divided into 4 subfamilies and 11 tribes. However, cactus growers are not interested in such a division. They share cacti either in appearance, according to living conditions in their natural environment.

In appearance, cacti are:

The classification by habitat is simpler: cacti are divided into desert and forest. Such a division of these plants is purely practical in nature: in order not to refresh all 11 knees in memory, it is easier for a cactus grower to immediately point out its shape and “place of residence”, and it immediately becomes clear what he is dealing with.

However, in the bulk, these are plants whose roots practically do not come into contact with rich soils and organic matter, which they are forced to be content with, is very poor in nutrients. The shape of the leaves of tropical cacti is also very specific - these are long flattened shoots with thin short antennae instead of thorns.

If forest cacti are more or less similar to each other, then their desert relatives are represented by three types:

prickly pear

Not all cacti can be grown at home. Some representatives of this family simply will not be able to fit in a living space. In addition, there are poisonous cacti that can cause both allergic reactions and serious poisoning, so it is better not to keep them at home.

A separate category are plants used in traditional medicine indigenous people of Central and South America. Among them, there are both harmless antiseptics and very serious hallucinogens, containing up to 2% mescaline in their mass.

Consider the most popular types and varieties of cacti in home floriculture, the features of their cultivation and maintenance.

Types of home cacti

At home, cacti change their lifestyle and sometimes even their appearance. This is due to the ability of all succulents to adapt to environmental conditions. Most often, such a manifestation can occur imperceptibly for the host, for example, the root system decreases or the growth rate of the flower changes.

In some cases, these lifestyle changes are reflected in the appearance of the cactus. As a rule, this does not lead to deterioration in the appearance of the flowers; sometimes due to these changes, their classification can be difficult.

Ariocarpus

Gymnocalyciums

Cleistocactus

Lophophora

Cephalocereus

Rhipsalis

Rebutia

notocactus

cactus care

As mentioned earlier, these plants require little to no care, as their living conditions are very harsh and cacti have adapted to survive in them. This does not mean that you can not follow the cactus at all, or ignore the conditions of its maintenance - our prickly pet will still have to provide some minimum of amenities.

Soil mixtures and pots for cacti.

The main requirement for the substrate in which cacti will be grown is the large particle size of which it consists. Cacti need air nourishment of the roots and free penetration from the surface of even minimal volumes of water, so there should be no obstacles for this.

In addition, the peculiarity of the root system, and indeed the entire metabolism of cacti, is such that these plants do not tolerate a large amount of organic matter (and sometimes simply nitrogen compounds) in the soil at all. Excessive intake of nitrogen causes stunting of the plant's cells, and the plant may die within a few days. Nitrogen, of course, is necessary for cacti, but its amount must be strictly limited.

The approximate composition of the mixture for growing cactus is as follows:

You can use a simpler composition:

Sometimes you can add a little fertilizer to the substrate. Superphosphate or potassium nitrate is well suited for this purpose (a teaspoon per 2-2.5 liter pot). When using superphosphate, a teaspoon of calcium carbonate is also added.

The volume of the pot in which it is planned to grow a cactus must exactly match the volume of the straightened root system of the cactus. If there is too much free space in the pot, the cactus will not grow until it forms a root system sufficient for the pot. With a small amount of free space, the root system of the cactus will begin to die off, which will also negatively affect the growth of the prickly pet.

It should be understood that not the entire volume of the pot will be used for soil. About a quarter of the bottom of the pot will be occupied by drainage (usually made of expanded clay or large gravel). And in the upper part of the pot there will be a so-called powder - a layer of small gravel or pebbles, completely covering the soil from above.

Sometimes ordinary sand is used as a powder. The total amount of drainage and powder in a pot can take up to half of its volume.

Watering and spraying issues

Depending on the natural conditions of the life of a cactus, the conditions for its watering also differ. Basically, this refers to the amount of water applied under the cactus and the frequency of watering. These parameters depend not so much on the type of cactus, but on climatic conditions in the area of ​​its growth.

It is due to the fact that many cacti grow in similar natural conditions that it is allowed to grow several cacti of various types in one pot at once. In addition, there general rules, which are applicable to all plants, regardless of their conditions of detention or "native" climate.

All cacti need watering with settled water (without chlorine and impurities), which has room temperature. Of course, melt water is best suited for watering these plants, but few people will collect it.

Cacti are watered either in the usual way, from above, or with the help of a pallet. It is believed that watering with a cactus tray is more desirable because it does not destroy the soil structure and does not damage the root system. However, most cacti growers prefer watering from above.

In this case, a mistake is often made, as a result of which water gets on the cactus stem. This is not entirely correct, since water should only get to the cactus in the form of a finely dispersed suspension in the air. Therefore, watering must be done by directing the stream of water not in the center of the pot, but at the edges.

Cacti love spraying, because in natural conditions they are covered every morning with small droplets of moisture that fall on them in the form of dew. In this case, a spray gun is used that can create the smallest droplets of water. Dew temperatures are usually less than air temperature, however, at home, it is better to spray cacti with warm water, about 30-35 ° C.

Cactus transplant

Transplanting cacti is much easier than transplanting any other plants. Firstly, because cacti are more hardy, and secondly, since the substrate has a large fraction, the root system of the plant is easier to get rid of it.

Before transplanting, it is necessary not to water the cactus for at least a week. In this case, the substrate will dry out enough, it will become lighter and removing it from the pot will not be any particular problem. In order not to damage your hands with cactus thorns, you can use various devices - from gloves to specially made tapes.

krrot.net

Our planet is rich in a wide variety of plants. Each geographic area has its own characteristics that are unique to this territory. Perhaps one of the most interesting in the world are the expanses of Mexico, as well as the US states of California and Arizona. This is where the family lives world's largest cacti- Giant cereus (Cereus giganteus) led by its largest representative.

1 The name of this giant is the California giant.

It is the symbol of the state of Arizona and has the shape of a huge candelabra and is considered the largest cactus in the world.

2 Lateral branches begin to grow after 70 years

When the cactus reaches the age of 70, its first side branches are just beginning to appear.

3 Cereus giant - the slowest growing plant

For the first ten years of life, it grows by only 2 cm.

4 Active growth begins after 30 years of age.

The mark of 30 years is only a quarter of the life of the giant cereus, after reaching this age, the active growth of the cactus begins.

He reaches this mark quite easily, but in subsequent years, quite a lot of dangers appear in their lives.

With its growth, the cactus has a huge weight - which can range from 6-10 tons.

If you take this cactus and put it through a press, you can squeeze out about two tons of liquid. Thanks to this ability, the cactus easily tolerates high temperatures.

8 Home for the homeless

Despite the not very busy life in the Mexican desert, nevertheless, the cactus is home to many animals - owls, woodpeckers, snakes, mice, etc.

9 Hungry abyss will not give

Cereus giant is a fruitful plant. It grows fleshy bright berries, which are a valuable food product. It is worth noting that the locals make alcoholic drink, the taste of which is vaguely reminiscent of moonshine.

10 It even blooms!

The first flowers on a cactus appear only after 50 years of his life.

Video: The largest cactus
Huge cacti in Mexico

The largest cactus in the greenhouse:

dekatop.com

Orchid flower: description, characteristics and photo.

Orchid flowers make up one of the largest plant families, the main part of which in nature are perennial herbs. The shrub form and woody vines are less common. The size of orchids can vary from a few centimeters, although some species grow up to 35 meters in height.

The roots of the epiphyte orchid are extremely important organs, since they perform many essential functions. Firstly, with their help, orchids are attached to the substrate, which allows them to maintain an upright position. Secondly, the roots are actively involved in photosynthesis, sharing this function with the leaves. Thirdly, with the help of the root system, orchid flowers absorb moisture and nutrients from the air and the bark of the plants they live on.

Another, smaller part of orchids are lithophytes growing on rocks and stony rocks. Ground orchids make up the middle-sized group. Both types are endowed with underground rhizomes or tubers.

The green stem of an orchid can be long or short, creeping or erect. The leaves are simple, alternate, each plant may have one or more of them.

Orchid flowers of the most diverse colors and sizes form 2 types of inflorescences: a simple spike with a single arrangement of flowers or a simple brush with several flowers on pedicels growing along the stem.

The orchid flower belongs to insect pollinated plants, and the pollination mechanisms of each species are sometimes unusual and very diverse. Shoe orchids, which have a “shoe-shaped” flower structure, are endowed with a special trap for pollinating insects.

Orchids have sticky legs, the flowers of this orchid imitate the smell of female bees, thereby attracting males.

Tropical orchid flowers stupefy insects with an unusual aroma, while other species shoot pollen towards the pollinating insect.

The fruit of an orchid is a dry box containing up to 4 million microscopic seeds, which is a kind of productivity record among flowering plants.

The life expectancy of orchids in natural conditions is individual, depends on many factors, and under favorable conditions can be 100 years. In greenhouse conditions, many types of orchids live up to 70 years.

There is a giant in the cactus family, whose adult representative certainly does not fit near a computer or on a windowsill. A cactus 15 meters tall and weighing several tons in Spanish is called Saguaro (Saguaro), and in Russian - giant carnegia. Find it amazing plant available in the USA (in the states of Arizona and California) and in northern Mexico. The age of the giant can reach 150 years.

(Total 28 photos)

1. Until the age of 30, the saguaro is in no hurry to grow and reaches a maximum of a couple of meters in height. But then, the plant directly transforms and adds almost a centimeter of growth every week. At this rate, by the age of 70, the cactus becomes like a tall, thorny tree with thick branches.

2. The name of an unusual cactus was named national park Saguaro in the USA.

3. Saguara Park is located in southern Arizona in the Sonora Territory.

4. In the Park, in addition to the giant carnegia, you can find about 50 species of cacti and more than 2,000 species of other plants. No wonder Sonora is considered the greenest desert on Earth.

5. Many mammals live in the desert (cougars, the bats, red lynx, coyote, etc.), about 100 species of reptiles (rattlesnakes, desert turtles, poisonous lizards, etc.), 20 species of amphibians, 350 species of birds and even 30 species of fish!

6. In the US, the saguaro is protected by law. Doing any harm to the giant is prohibited. And anyone who harms a wild saguaro in any way is in danger of going to prison for 25 years.

7. But such a measure of punishment does not stop poachers. They shamelessly steal plants that have already entered the stage of rapid growth, but still fit in the car, because for 1 such cactus on the black market you can get $1000.

8. To combat poachers, workers national park they installed systems, and also thought of putting sensors in the saguaro, thanks to which you can find out exactly where the assassination attempt took place and where the giant carnegia was taken.

9. The first scientific description of the saguaro was given in 1848 by G. Engelman (an American botanist).

10. Until 1978, the saguaro was considered the tallest cactus on Earth, reaching a height of 24 meters. But the tallest cactus was knocked down by a storm.

11. To date, the highest cactus is in Arizona. Its height is 14 meters, and its girth is 3 meters.

12. After the age of 30, saguaros begin to branch. At the same time, their shape can be very unusual and resemble a fork, a hand with spread fingers, tentacles, a fan, an unusual animal or even a dancing person.

13. The flowering period of the saguaro falls at the end of spring - the beginning of summer.

14. Flowers are so huge that birds often make nests between their stamens.

15. In the flower of this cactus, a record number of stamens is 3480! This is a lot, especially if you know that other plants usually have from one to several dozen.

16. The cactus has adapted to protect the flowers from the heat of the day and opens them at night, when all desert living creatures feel better and begin their vigorous activity.

17. To collect nectar from the flowers of the plant, bees fly to the saguaro. Eating honey from cacti, which has a very specific taste, invigorates a person and fills with joy.

18. Residents of Mexico have learned how to make excellent moonshine from sourdough with saguaro juice.

19. You can also eat the fruits of carnegia giant. They ripen by mid-summer and resemble the fruits of liana-shaped cacti - pitaya (or dragon fruit) with a hint of rice. Fresh and dried saguaro fruits are considered the most delicious of the cactus fruits.

20. For the Indian tribes of Arizona, the maturation of the saguaro was a real holiday and was accompanied by colorful rites and rituals.

21. Vegetable oil is made from cactus seeds rich in fats.

22. Due to the reinforcing structure, saugaros have excellent hardness. And after the cactus has outlived its own and the soft tissues have died, the internal skeleton of the plant is exposed, which is so strong that it was used for construction purposes.

23. There is a case when in 1982 two young men, while having fun, tried to shoot a saguaro with a pistol. A large part of the cactus broke off, which fell on one of the shooters and instantly killed him.

27. The giant cactus and its huge flowers often serve as a home for various birds. Hollows that woodpeckers have made for themselves are occupied by owls.

28. None of the eyewitnesses remains indifferent at the first meeting with the giant carnegia. The columnar cactus resembles the columns of an incredible castle of giants. It seems that the mysterious habitats of the saguaro came to Earth from another planet.