Melocactus azureus | Blue Melocactus
€10,60
🌱 Morphology
Solitary cactus, with a globose to short-cylindrical body, bluish-green to grayish-green, which can reach approximately 13–45 cm in height and 14–20 cm in diameter. It has 9–10 triangular ribs, with areoles featuring robust spines, black or reddish in color, becoming grayish later on. It can develop 1–4 central spines, straight or slightly curved, and 7–11 radial ones. Upon reaching maturity, it forms a characteristic terminal cephalium, reddish-brown to whitish, which can reach about 12 cm in height and 7–9 cm in diameter. From this stage on, the vegetative growth of the body practically ceases.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Species endemic to the state of Bahia, in northeastern Brazil. It is found at altitudes of approximately 450 to 800 m, restricted to low limestone rock outcrops within the caatinga, in arid and seasonally dry environments. Populations are fragmented, and habitat loss due to agricultural transformation constitutes a significant threat. It belongs to the Cactaceae family. The Brazilian assessment classified it as Endangered (EN).
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 10a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −1 ºC only under dry conditions, with well-acclimated specimens and during brief exposures. In cultivation, it is especially important to avoid low temperatures coinciding with a moist substrate.
☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it requires high light levels, with an approximate target of 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR. It tolerates intense light exposure, although direct sun should be introduced progressively to specimens previously grown under lower irradiance. Insufficient lighting promotes weaker growth and hinders the compact formation of the body.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. During the warm period, it maintains vegetative activity, and it is recommended to water abundantly, allowing the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. In autumn, water supply is progressively reduced, and it should be kept practically dry during the winter, especially if temperatures drop. Once the cephalium is formed, body growth slows down significantly, and management should be geared towards preserving the roots and avoiding excess moisture.
🌸 Flowering
The flowers appear on the cephalium and are small, pink to magenta, approximately 1.5–2.3 cm in length. Flowering can last from spring until late autumn under favorable conditions. The fruits are small, white to pale pink, and can reach about 1.7 cm in length.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae, is recommended, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
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