NEOBUXBAUMIA POLYLOPHA

ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS

This species belongs to the Cactaceae family and is a phanerogam plant. It is native to Mexico and is a columnar, perennial cactus that can reach 10 meters in height (if we have it for many years and well cared for). It tends to branch out and has abundant shallow ribs bearing the areoles, and these in turn carry the spines. The spines are flexible and can have a central spine that is usually shorter than the rest.

The stem of this species is green, which contrasts with the brown thorns that surround the entire plant. The flowers appear at the top of the stem, being of a maroon or violet color that makes them stand out from the cactus. These flowers are tubular and their egg-shaped fruits are green and covered with wool.

DECORATION OF ... EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR?

This magnificent species is mainly used to create a group of cacti in the garden, or to enhance it by planting it just to let it grow to a large size and add that touch of height to the garden.

This plant can also be incorporated into a vase if we want to have it in our home, it must be a wide and bright area, and we must make sure that this vase drains the water correctly.

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 5ºC.

- 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 for the soil to be 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.