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Tropicals > Espostoa > Espostoa melanostele > Espostoa melanostele

Espostoa melanostele





Origin:  Central Peru
Family
Cactaceae
Genus
Espostoa
Species
melanostele
Category
Tropicals
USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 10b
Canadian Hardiness Zone
Requires cool season protection under glass.
RHS Hardiness Zone
H2
Temperature (°C)
2 - 4
Temperature (°F)
35 - 40
Height
1 - 2 m
Spread
90 cm
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
MayJune
General Description
Espostoa melanostele is a flowering cactus covered with white woolly hairs and bristly spines.
Cultivation
Grow in a greenhouse at 10° - 15° C in standard cactus compost containing moderate to high inorganic content, more than 50% grit at a pH of 6 - 7.5. Maintain low humidity and keep out of the sun in hot weather. Keep dry from mid-autumn to early spring but mist lightly on warm days in late winter.
Shape
Columnar.
Growth
Slow
ID Characteristic
Branches from its base, ribbed, areoles close-set, non-flowering are covered entirely with dense white or pale brown hairs and long spines. Flowers grow from an area of dense fleece, the cephalium, near the stem apex. The cephalium can be white, yellow or brown; flower perianth is white.
Flower Description
Relatively broad, tubular, white perianth with a rather unpleasant scent may open once the plant is about 90 cm tall.
Fruit Description
Yellow-white to dull red, 5 cm.
Colour Description
Hairs are white or pale brown, spines are yellow when young and almost black later on, cephalium is white, yellow or brown, perianth white, fruit yellow-white to dull red.
Texture Description
Woolly with sharp spines.
Notable Specimens
Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada.
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