Plant Of The Week: Silver Torch Cactus

Cleistocactus strausii, known by the common name of silver torch or wooly torch, is a perennial cactus of the family Cactaceae. It is native to high mountain regions of Bolivia and Argentina, above 9,843 feet.

Its slender, erect, grey-green columns can reach a height of 9.8 feet, but are only about 2.5 inches across. The columns are formed from around 25 ribs and are densely covered with areoles, supporting four yellow-brown spines up to 1.5 inches long and 20 shorter white radials.

The cactus prefers free draining soils, strong sunlight, but not high temperatures — in fact it can withstand hard frosts down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit. In its natural habitat it receives plenty of water during the summer, but almost none over the winter. In cultivation, watering too much in winter often leads to root rot.

Older cacti, over 17.5 inches tall, produce deep red, burgundy, flowers in late summer. The 2.5 inches long cylindrical flowers protrude horizontally from the columns. In common with other cacti in the genus Cleistocactus, the flowers hardly open, with only the style and stamens protruding. Cultivated plants often flower freely. In the United Kingdom, this plant is usually grown under glass, and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Cultivation: The cactus prefers free draining soils, strong sunlight, but not high temperatures — in fact it can withstand hard frosts down to -10°C. In its natural habitat it receives plenty of water during the summer, but almost none over the winter. In cultivation, watering too much in winter often leads to root rot.. Older cactuses, over 45 cm (18 in) tall, produce deep red, burgundy, flowers in late summer. The 6 cm (3 in) long cylindrical flowers protrude horizontally from the columns. In common with other cacti in the genus Cleistocactus, the flowers hardly open, with only the style and stamens protruding. Cultivated plants often flower freely

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