Etymology of the name.
The name of the genus of plants is formed from the Greek kleistos - closed and from the Latin cactus - cactus, together - "cactus with closed flowers".
Types of Kleistokaktusov.
- Kleistokaktus Rittera (Latin Cleistocactus ritteri). Very popular species for growing at home. A great interest in it is caused by the presence of white thorns in the plant and the abundant flowering of cacti with a height of forty centimeters. Moreover, yellow-green flowers are located between white long hairs.
- Strauss's Cleistocactus (Latin Cleistocactus strausii). Also a pretty famous sight. It is popular due to thick white thorns and hairs.
- Kleistokaktus emerald (Latin Cleistocactus smaragdiflorus). The plant has red flowers bordered in green. Blossom this kind of cleistocactus begins after reaching 25 centimeters in height. In winter, the plant does not tolerate cold and dryness.
- Kleistokaktus Tupisysky (Latin Cleistocactus tupizensis). The plant is native to Bolivia, resistant to lower temperatures. The stem of this kind of cactus is strictly vertical, its thorns have a color from fiery red to pale red. The flowers of the glutocactus are red and curved.
Hybrid Cleistocactus (Latin Cleistocactus hybr).
Surprisingly, despite the huge difference in the external appearance of flowers and stems, there are intergeneric hybrids of Echinopsis and Kleistokaktusa, which are called Cleistopsis (Cleistopsis). The cleistopsis usually has a columnar shape, and their leaves are slightly thicker and shorter than the leaves of the cleistocactus. Both genes, which became the basis for crossing, are manifested in the flowers of these hybrids. So, the plant took narrow flowers from the cleistocactus, and from the Echinopsis - a funnel-shaped corolla, which ends with an inflorescence on top.
Kleistokaktus: care.
Cultivation. Indoors glutokoktusy grow in intensive sunlight. Also, plants need regular airing. The soil for cacti should be 60% composed of turf ground and 40% sand made of fine gravel. For the rootstock, the Strauss cactus cactus cactus is well suited.
Location. Kleistokaktus - cactus, which grows long enough, so it is best to grow it in greenhouses or greenhouses. If you grow a plant on a window, it reduces its decorativeness, because cactus shoots are drawn to the light.
Temperature. In the hot season, glutocactus requires fresh air. It is advisable to expose the container with the plant to open air, for example, in a garden or garden. In winter, cacti can be kept at a temperature of 5-10C. In addition, in the cold season they do not need watering.
Diseases and pests. Dangerous for glutokaktusov mealybug and spider mites. To eliminate them, you can use systemic agents or chemicals. When using the latter, process the highest vertex heads.
Reproduction. Propagation of cleistocactus can be seed (seedlings grow very quickly), cuttings or lateral shoots.
Special difficulties:
- Lack of increment. May be caused by waterlogging of the soil in the cold season or insufficient watering on hot days.
- The end of the stem is wrinkled, below there are spots of soft rot. This problem is usually caused by waterlogging the soil in the winter season.
- On the stalk there are brown soft spots. Most likely, this stem rot, which rarely affects well-developing cacti. In order to preserve the plant, cut out all affected areas and disinfect the soil. For disinfection use a solution of carbendazim. In addition, improve the conditions of the plant.
- Cork spots on the stalk surface. There are four reasons for this problem: wounds, hypothermia, pest damage. and insufficient watering during the hot season.
- Stalk is elongated and uncharacteristic. The reason is lack of light in the summer season or overheating in winter.