Neocardenasia herzogiana | Caraparí. Bolivian candelabra cactus
€47,70
🌱 Morphology
Impressive dimensions... A vigorously growing arborescent columnar cactus that in the wild can reach 15 m in height, forming a highly branched, candelabra-like structure. The stems are erect, about 15–20 cm in diameter, with 6–7 prominent ribs. The areoles are large and persistent, with 3–5 central spines and 7–10 radial ones; adult plants can develop extraordinarily long spines, up to 20–25 cm. The bark of old specimens takes on grayish tones, and the trunk can become very thick.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
A species endemic to Bolivia, present in Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, Santa Cruz, and Tarija, in dry inter-Andean valleys and xerophytic Chaco formations, at an altitude of approximately 600 to 1,900 m. It grows in true open cactus forests, alongside other xerophytic species. In the Caraparí valley, it is one of the characteristic arboreal species of the landscape. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9b
Tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −4 ºC when dry and with well-acclimated specimens. In cultivation, it is advisable to protect it from intense frost and, above all, from the combination of cold and prolonged humidity.
☀️ Lighting
It requires direct sun and very intense light to develop robust stems and characteristic spination. During active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended as a reference.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During the cold months, watering is significantly reduced, keeping the substrate dry when temperatures are low. In spring and summer, deep, spaced watering is recommended, allowing the substrate to dry completely between waterings. It tolerates prolonged periods of drought and requires excellent drainage.
🌸 Flowering
The flowers appear on mature stems and are short and tubular-funnel-shaped, white, pink, or rose-colored with a yellowish center. They can reach about 6 cm in diameter. Flowering is concentrated in the warm months and gives rise to edible, globose or ovoid fruits, reddish to reddish-brown in tone and covered with small clusters of spinules.
🌿 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 during 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.
📏 The sizes of our basic collection xerophytes are as follows:
S -> 9cm x 9cm
M-> 14cm x 14 cm
L->16cm x 16 cm
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.
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