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Echinocereus reichembachii forma cristata
A nice crested cactus that is covered with eye-catching multicoloured
spines (white to tan,
dull pink, dark brown, or purplish black). It
creates large clumps as it matures.
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Description: The typical
Echinocereus
reichenbachii is a well known and widely grown
solitary or slowly branching
cylindrical shaped cactus and one of the smaller Echinocereus species.
Stem: Green with straight or slightly undulate ribs,
The crested stems are relatively
strong, up 4 cm in width .
Areoles:1-6 mm apart.
Radial spines: 20 to 36 , straight to slightly curved, held
closely against the the ribs of the stems, organized in 2 series,
±
pectinately arranged or nearly so, 5 to 8 mm long. Multi-coloured, white
to tan, dull pink, dark brown, or purplish black.
Central spines: 0 to7 small , terete, 1-6(-15) mm long, often
darker yellowish with a brown tip, at first, whitish on older areoles.
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Cultivation: The crests are frequently grafted onto a
Myrtillocactus
geometrizans trunk, but are easily grown on their own
roots. Indicated
for full sun exposure. Water
regularly from March to October. It is sensitive to overwatering
(rot prone) needs a very good drainage to avoid rotting, but
requires more moisture than true desert cacti to grow and produce
flowers, Keep drier and cool in winter. Need full
sun. It is very cold resistant and it can
briefly tolerate temp. as low as -5° to -20°
C (depending on clones) or less for short periods of
time. Stems may possibly become purple and limp in
winter, but revitalize in early spring. Any normal shoots should be removed to promote the
growth of the crest.
Propagation: Grafting, also
can be grown from cutting, which will take root in a
minimum temperature of 20° C. Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in
the spring and summer, Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave
the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how
thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the
callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with
firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit.
They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end
from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost
underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks. |
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family) |
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Scientific name: Echinocereus
reichenbachii (Terscheck ex
Walpers) Haage Jr. ex Britton & Rose
Cactaceae. 3: 25. 1922.
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Common English Names include:
Crested
lace hedgehog cactus or simply Crested Lace Cactus (due to the look of
the spines).
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Synonyms:
- Echinocactus
reichenbachii Walpers, Repert. Bot. Syst. 2: 320. 1843
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Photo of conspecific
taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars taxa
of
plants belonging to the
Echinocereus reichenbachii
complex
(This
Taxon
has lots of synonyms whit several controversial varieties and subspecies):
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Cultivation
and Mail Sale 