Echinopsis chamacereus

El Echinopsis chamacereus It is the typical cactus that looks great in pots that are wider than tall ones placed outside. It does not grow very tall, but its stems can be several centimeters long. Although, without a doubt, its flowers are what they like the most about this species, since they are large and of a beautiful red color.

In addition, it is a cactus that will not require too much care. In fact, you can go several days without receiving a single drop of water, and it is not afraid of the cold either.

Origin and characteristics of Echinopsis chamacereus

It is a species that grows wild in Argentina, specifically in Tucumán. It develops multiple cylindrical greenish stems that emerge from its base. These have about 8 to 10 ribs, with whitish areolas. 10-15 spines emerge from them, also white, very short, barely 1,5 millimeters long.

The flowers are red and measure about 4 centimeters in diameter. The fruit is reddish, about 7 millimeters long, and inside it contains numerous small black seeds.

Regarding the total height of this cactus, it must be said that does not usually exceed 20 centimeters, but as it has a creeping or hanging bearing, the stems can be up to 50 centimeters long. Therefore, to make it look good, it is advisable to grow it in wide and shallow pots, or in rockeries.

What are the care it requires?

If you want to have a Echinopsis chamacereusYou have to bear in mind that it is a very easy plant to care for, and also to multiply. What's more, when it grows enough, if you wanted you could give cuttings to your loved ones, since they would surely root without problems.

But in the meantime, we are going to see everything that needs to be done so that it is well and can flourish every year:

Location

This is a cactus that can be in full sun (It would be ideal, as long as you get used to it little by little so that it does not burn), or in an area where there is a lot of light.

It is not advisable to grow indoors at home, since it would have development problems caused by the lack of light, unless a lamp was bought to stimulate its growth, like this one they sell. here for example.

Soil or substrate

• Garden: The Echinopsis chamacereus It is a plant to be planted in light, well-drained soil. It can be on stony soils without problems.
• Flower pot: If you are going to have it in a container, it is advisable to use specific substrates for cacti, or to mix peat with perlite in equal parts.

Irrigation

Irrigation will generally be low. It is a plant that resists drought much better than excess water, so you should not water more than necessary. For this reason, it is best to pour water into it when the ground is completely dry.

If in doubt, you can check the humidity with a meter or by inserting a wooden stick. If you opt for this last option, when you extract it from the earth and you see that it has a lot of adherent earth, it will mean that the soil still has a lot of water and that, therefore, you have to wait a few days before re-moistening it.

Subscriber

When buying a cactus, subscribing is usually the most frequently forgotten task. Of course, reasons are not lacking: as they are plants mainly native to arid regions, it is easy to fall into the error that they do not need nutrients. In their places of origin there is very little decomposing matter, why do they have to be fertilized?

The truth is that The fertilizer is very important, especially when they are kept in pots, since the amount of soil and therefore the availability of nutrients is very limited. Bill Echinopsis chamacereus he can live on little "food," but not without it. So do not hesitate to fertilize it with a liquid fertilizer (for sale here) in spring and summer.

In this way, you will see how, in addition to growing in conditions and at a good pace, it will flower every year without effort.

Multiplication

The fastest way to get new copies is multiplying it by stem cuttings in spring. These have to be cut with disinfected scissors, and then let the wound dry for about 7 days in a dry and protected place.

When that time has passed, you have to plant them in small pots, about 6,5 or 8,5 centimeters in diameter, with soil for cacti (for sale here). Finally, leave them outside, in semi-shade, and give them a watering.

Another option is to multiply it by seeds, also in spring. These have to be sown in wide pots, with a mixture of peat with perlite in equal parts. Put the seedbed in semi-shade, and keep the soil watered. That way they will germinate in about ten days.

Transplant

El Echinopsis chamacereus it has to transplant en spring. If you have it in a pot, plant it in a larger one every 3-4 years or so.

Rusticity

Withstands cold and weak frosts. According to some sources consulted, such as the English portal Llifle, it resists up to -8ºC, but we do not advise keeping it outside at those temperatures as it has a great tendency to rot. In Mediterranean or warm climates, where there are no frosts or only down to -2ºC, it survives outdoors without problems.

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