DASYLIRION WHEELERI

ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS:

It is a species belonging to the Aspargaceae family, endemic to Central America, found in Mexico, Texas or Arizona.

This succulent is characterized by being a slow-growing perennial shrub. Its trunk is branched, it has long and thin leaves that grow from the center, it has many leaves that go in different directions giving the bush a circular shape. They are greenish in color with a serrated edge. The inflorescence grows above the leaves, in the shape of a spike that can reach 5 meters in height, giving white and purple flowers, the white ones being male and female, the violet ones. It is a very easy plant to care for, it does not need much water, it can bear temperatures similar to those of the desert very well. It becomes a very good option for our garden.

DECORATION OF ... EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR?

Preferably, this succulent is used to decorate the exterior or garden of the house. Since it is usually the thick type with long, thin leaves that point from the center of the plant to both sides creating a circular shape. It is a perfect option to consider if we want something different in our garden. Because it is a very resistant plant, it does not need constant watering and only needs a large number of hours of explosion in the sun.

CARE FOR CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS

They are showy plants, very pretty and that practically do not need much maintenance.

- They prefer places with direct light or that have good lighting, preferably next to a window, on a balcony, a terrace or in your Garden.

- They can withstand low temperatures, around 10ºC.

- It is essential that they have good drainage, both in the soil and in a pot.

- The ideal substrate for cacti has to be combined with sand and gravel, so that they have good drainage, humidity and excess water are not good.

- Irrigation does not have to be excessive. From spring to autumn, which would be its growth period, water every 15 days, abundant watering and wait until the soil is very dry again. In winter do not water or give one watering per month.

- Fertilizer. During the growing season (spring - autumn) you can fertilize them with worm humus. Eggshells are a good homemade fertilizer, they contain (Calcium, Iron, Potassium, magnesium and Phosphorus) these nutrients are very important and favor their growth, you must crush and mix them with the substrate, administer them a couple of times a year.

- Treatment against fungi due to excess humidity, disinfect the area with a copper-based fungicide.

- If you want to transplant them from the pot or the ground, the best time would be from spring.

And don't forget that to work with cacti you have to wear good gloves.