{"product_id":"myrtillocactus-geometrizans-f-cristata-garambullo-enrollado","title":"Myrtillocactus geometrizans f. cristata | Crested Strawberry Cactus","description":"\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌱 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMorphology\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFasciated form of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLophocereus marginatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, which grows very slowly and has a sculptural appearance. Instead of developing regular cylindrical stems, the meristem produces a wavy crest that can multiply and form wide, sinuous, deeply folded structures. The epidermis is deep 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 former names such as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePachycereus marginatus f. cristata\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌍 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistribution, habitat and family\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe species is native to Mexico, mainly the arid and semi-arid regions of central Mexico, where it grows as a columnar cactus branching from the base. It belongs to the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCactaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e family. Joël Lodé's taxonomy maintains \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLophocereus marginatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as a species within \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLophocereus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e; the crested form should be understood as a fasciated morphological expression of this species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e❄️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature · USDA Zone 9a\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTolerates minimum temperatures of up to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e−6 ºC\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e when dry and with well-acclimatized specimens. Crested specimens should be given extra protection from damp cold, as the numerous irregularities on the surface can retain moisture.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e☀️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLighting\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRequires \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003every intense direct sunlight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e to maintain a compact and well-defined crest. During the active growth period, a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePAR DLI of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is recommended. Insufficient lighting can result in weaker growth and deform the architecture of the crest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e💧 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGrowth cycle and watering\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWinter dormancy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e It is kept practically dry during the cold months. Growth resumes in spring and summer, 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 buildup between the folds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌸 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlowering\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe flowers are the same as those of the species and appear mainly on adult specimens: they are tubular, approximately 3–4 cm long, in white, pink, or reddish shades, and open mainly at night. In crested forms, flowering may be less frequent or occur irregularly.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e🌿 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNutrition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels is recommended, such as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesert CHOICE® Cactaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesert CHOICE® Flowering\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with a substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e10x10 cm pot\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"DesertSTORE.es","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59034998505807,"sku":null,"price":53.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0559\/9818\/5628\/files\/IMG-6804.heic?v=1791369741","url":"https:\/\/desertstore.es\/en\/products\/myrtillocactus-geometrizans-f-cristata-garambullo-enrollado","provider":"DesertSTORE.es","version":"1.0","type":"link"}