Happy Urban Dirt

If you’re interested in cacti rather than plants with leaves, you probably have some specimens you’re proud of. One of such cacti that you can have and which, due to its properties, is Echinopsis chamaecereus.

Also known as the walnut cactus, we are talking about one that is diminutive but intense in size and has very compelling flowers. Do you want to know more about it?

What does Echinopsis chamaecereus look like?

As we said before, Echinopsis chamaecereus is also known (much better) as the walnut cactus. However, you can also find it on the Internet under other scientific names, such as Chamaecereus silvestrii, Cereus silvestrii or Lobivia silvestrii.

This cactus, composed of several bodies, does not reach a height of more than 15 centimeters.. In total, it forms very compact bushes, where in this case it grows to 50 centimeters wide. It comes from Argentina, and its natural habitat is characterized by the fact that it is a very mountainous area (it is born at an altitude of over 1200 m).

What makes it even more unique and eye-catching are its buds, which take on a finger-like shape (at first they resemble peanuts, but become longer as they grow). In fact, it is said that this cactus was born from a self-incompatible maple tree.. The color of these stems is green, although they will have many thorns that will make them look white. All these stems will be segmented by 8 to 10 narrow ribs.

Apart from these buds, The next element that attracts the most attention is flowers. They appear in spring, and if you’re lucky, also in delayed summer. And know that they have a wealthy emerald red color (originally, now you can also find them in orange and yellow). If they are about to bloom, don’t miss them, because they will only last one day (although they will bloom for 2-3 weeks). As for size, look for about 2.5 cm wide.

Echinopsis chamaecereus care

Now that you know more about Echinopsis chamaecereus, what about you buy it? If you already have it or are thinking about buying it, here we will leave you the most essential care. This way you can consult them to find out if you are giving it what it needs or if you do not have it, if you are prepared for this problem.

location and temperature

The best place for cacti is outdoors. However, this cactus can tolerate being indoors as long as it is kept in a very brilliant spot (but not in direct sunlight).

Therefore, if you decide to place the plant outside, keep it in a partially shaded spot if you live in a sultry region, or in a spot with direct sunlight if it is frigid. For interiors, it is best to place them in a place where more featherlight enters. Once it has adapted, you can even expose it to direct sunlight for a few hours in the morning or afternoon.

You will notice if it is getting enough featherlight on the stems. And when the shoots are very lean and elongated, it warns you that it needs much more featherlight.

As for the temperature, in winter it would be ideal if it did not drop below -7ºC. Although it can tolerate heat and frigid, when temperatures drop below these levels its condition can deteriorate.

Subsoil

Echinopsis chamaecereus can be kept both in the garden and in a pot. In both cases, it is recommended that the soil you operate is a mixture of universal substrate (or cactus soil), peat and perlite or sand.

This cactus does not have very deep roots, so a very deep pot is not necessary. It needs to be wide. That’s why a flower pot might be a better solution.

Repotting this cactus may be more common because it is straightforward for it to fill the entire diameter of the pot in one year. Therefore, you need to be aware of its growth to change it to another larger pot or pot (wide, not deep).

Irrigation

Watering your Echinopsis chamaecereus will depend on the season you are in. Generally, in spring and summer, it is done every 15 days, waiting between watering and watering until the soil is very arid (it does not like additional water at all).

From autumn onwards, the risk should be extended so that in the winter there is no need to water. It is better to water the plant so that it survives frost and frigid without rotting, than to water it every now and then, which may be detrimental to it.

When it comes to humidity, while cacti don’t need it, this one in particular needs slightly higher humidity.

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Cacti do not need fertilizer. But in the case of this particular one, because it grows so quickly, we recommend throwing it away.

Only slow-release mineral fertilizer should be used at the beginning of spring and forget about subsequent events until the following year.

Plagues and diseases

At this point you need to watch out for the whitefly, moisture, and also the red spider. In each of them, the first thing you need to do is eliminate the plague you see. But in addition, you will need to remove the plant from the pot, remove all the soil, and wash the roots with alcohol and water to disinfect them.

Then you need to control the humidity (to prevent the appearance of the red spider mite) and spray the plant with neem oil or similar to prevent the appearance of other pests.

Multiplication

Although Echinopsis chamaecereus blooms, did you know that it does not produce seeds? Therefore, this technique is completely out of the question. The only way to propagate this cactus is through cuttings.

And it’s as plain as cutting a branch off the main trunk and putting it in a pot. (Leave for 1-2 days to arid so the wound can heal.) In a few weeks, you should see signs that it has taken root and is starting to sprout.

Know that Echinopsis chamaecereus is straightforward to find in nurseries and plant stores. In addition, it is not exorbitant and you can have it in your collection. Do you already have it?