Scientific Name
Myrtillocactus cochal (Orcutt) Britton & Rose
Common Name(s)
Cochal, Candelabra Cactus
Synonym(s)
Cereus cochal, Myrtillocactus geometrizans var. cochal, Cereus geometrizans var. cochal, Cereus geometrizans f. cochal
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Echinocereeae
Genus: Myrtillocactus
Description
Myrtillocactus cochal is a large sprawling tree-like cactus with multiple dark green branches with a very woody trunk once older. It grows up to 10 feet (3 m) tall and almost as wide. The branches have 6 to 8 ribs, and 1 central and 5 shorter radial spines per areole. Flowers are pale green, funnel-shaped, and appear in late spring through early summer. They open during the day and stay open thru the night. After flowering, edible, slightly acidic, globular, red-purplish fruits appear.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
They are semi-hardy, make sure that your Myrtillocactus are not exposed to temperatures below 25 °F (-4 °C), or they may die. Nevertheless, it is good advice never to let the nighttime temperatures fall below 50 °F (10 °C). In the summer, place Myrtillocactus in the sunshine (indoors or outdoors). In the winter, find a cooler, light spot. That will allow it to go into next spring well-rested, which will make it more likely to flower. This easy-care plant doesn't want a lot of water. Allow the soil to dry out before you give it another drink. Keep the soil completely dry in winter. Treat it to special cactus food once a month in the spring and summer.
If the plant needs repotting, use a fairly impoverished soil specially designed for cacti. By seed or cutting (allow the cut surface to dry out for 2-3 weeks before placing in an open rooting media).
See more at How to Grow and Care for Myrtillocactus.
Origin
This species is native to the Baja California peninsula of Mexico.
Graft-chimaeras
Links
- Back to genus Myrtillocactus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
