The Cereus cactus is a slow grower that rewards good care with large white flowers and up to 30-foot stems.




Photograph by Kathy De La Torre







Cacti have adapted to thrive in warm environs

By Tony Tomeo

My colleague Brent Green and I studied horticulture at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo; which is exactly halfway between his hometown, Beverly Hills and my hometown, Los Gatos. We regularly exchanged plant species that were common to one, but rare to the other. One plant was a Cereus cactus that Brent had given me when it was not very healthy. When he visited the following year, the cactus was healthy enough to return home, where it bloomed profusely.

By the time I visited Brent the following year, the cactus had gone into decline and came home with me for proper care. It made the trip several times, like migration, before it finally settled into Brent's garden. Brent says it blooms at his home because it is happier. Although I have never seen it bloom, it always came here to recover and I "cereusly" believe it was much happier in my garden.

True cacti of the family Cactaceae are very useful ornamentals, comprising much of the group known as succulents. Succulents are any plant species that stores water in thick, watery leaves or stems. Most are drought tolerant. Many other succulents are in families that are more closely related to poinsettias or lilies.

Unlike other succulents that are endemic to many other continents, cacti only naturally inhabit North and South America. Their "succulent" parts are actually modified stems, which may be cylindrical or flat "pads." The surfaces of these stems are green and perform photosynthesis, which is very important to plants that have no leaves. The leaves are not totally absent, however. They have been modified into the spines or "fuzz" that cover cacti to protect them from grazing animals. The tufts from which the spines protrude are modified buds, which often include one or more larger spines that are actually another type of modified stem.

Flowers are exceptionally impressive and unexpectedly large. Unfortunately, because most commonly used cacti are from desert ecosystems, many bloom at night. Their favorite pollinators--moths and bats--are more active at night. Also, flowers are less likely to desiccate at night. In milder landscape conditions, night bloomers may stay open during the day. Those that normally bloom during the day usually produce smaller flowers that are very brightly colored. Fruit may also be showy; that of some species is edible.

Structure is variable among various cacti species. Many of the most popular only grow a few inches tall. Some of the larger cacti may get several feet tall. Although unlikely in the Santa Clara Valley, the saguaro cactus grows over 40 feet tall in the wild. With very few exceptions, cacti require full sun exposure, very good drainage and minimal irrigation. Too much water can easily kill them. To maximize performance, fertilizer may be applied only in spring and summer.

Although cacti are very tolerant of adverse conditions, they are not for every garden. They usually look best with other cacti or succulents in large groups. There are, of course, exceptions; and some of the boldest are excellent for prominent spaces within more traditional landscapes. Cacti are happy in pots, so may also be grown on porches, separate from the main landscape.

Because there is so much variability among cacti, it is important for those interested in growing them to do some research. Their requirements may be very different from anything else in the garden. Handling cacti also requires some ingenuity. I find that the utensil used to move coals in the barbecue is very useful. Certain kitchen utensils may also help. such as the one that grabs salad or pasta. It is best to be gentle to avoid breaking spines or bruising stems.

'Tree' of the Week: Cereus cactus

Cereus cactus, Cereus peruvianus, is one of the most popular cacti. Although there is much variation between individuals, they are all named as the same species, with only one cultivar, "Monstrosus."

Bright white flowers are five inches long and wide, and open at night. Bloom usually occurs in early summer, but may be delayed into autumn. They are striking specimens when young and eventually get up to 30 feet tall. Branches may be broken off if the canopy becomes too dense. Cereus cacti often appear to be top-heavy otherwise.

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