Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. cristata 'Elite' | Crested dwarf blue candle cactus
€15,90
🌱 Morphology
Dwarf fasciate form of Lophocereus marginatus, very slow-growing with a sculptural appearance. Instead of developing regular cylindrical stems, the meristem produces a wavy crest that can multiply and form wide, sinuous, and deeply folded structures. The epidermis is an intense green, and the edges of the crest retain the small areoles and spines characteristic of the species, although their distribution is altered by the fasciation. Over the years, it can reach a considerable size and become a spectacular collector's specimen. The crested form is also known by older names such as Pachycereus marginatus f. cristata.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
The species originates from Mexico, mainly from arid and semi-arid regions in the center of the country, where it grows forming columnar cacti branched from the base. It belongs to the Cactaceae family. Joël Lodé's taxonomy maintains Lophocereus marginatus as a species within Lophocereus; the crested form should be understood as a fasciate morphological expression of this species.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9a
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −6 ºC when dry and in well-acclimated specimens. For crested specimens, it is advisable to take extra precautions against cold humidity, as the numerous surface irregularities can retain moisture.
☀️ Lighting
It requires very intense direct sunlight to maintain a compact and well-defined crest. As a reference during active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended. Insufficient lighting can result in weaker growth and distort the architecture of the crest.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. It is kept practically dry during the cold months. In spring and summer, growth resumes and deep watering is recommended, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. The crested form requires special attention to drainage and ventilation to prevent moisture accumulation between the folds.
🌸 Flowering
The flowers are consistent with those of the species and appear mainly on adult specimens: they are tubular, approximately 3–4 cm, in white, pink, or reddish tones, and open mainly at night. In crested forms, flowering may be less frequent or develop irregularly.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low levels of nitrogen, 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 technological square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
10x10 cm pot
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