All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

Eulychnia castanea f. varispiralis cristata (though it may be named otherwise)
It is an inimitable cactus freak characterized by fan-like sculptural shapes, this form is very rare and prized.

 

Description: This odd plant is known in cultivation under quite a lot of different names (among them, "spiralis", "varispiralis", "spiraliforme", "mostruosa", "monstrose",  "monstrous" ) It is a variable cultivar of which  we can distinguish at least four basic growing forms:

1. Columnar monstrous form: Characterized by a lumpy-bumpy monstrous surface, this is the more common form, about 60-75% of the new branch shows this monstrous morphology.

2. Columnar discoidal form:  Characterized by green discs placed one on top of another in a heap. Only 20-30% of branches develop the typical discs.

3. Columnar spiral form: Characterized by curly, whirly spiral growth that can be equally dextrorotatory or levorotatory,  this form is very appreciated by collectors but comparatively rare (about 5-15% of shots shows this admirable feature)

4. Crested form:  Characterized by fan-like sculptural shapes comprising mix of the previously types, this form is very rare and prized.

NOTE: All this form are only growing variant of the same clone, each new branch must show one (or a mix) of the four growing mode and each plant is unique and different.

 

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Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Eulychnia castanea.

• Eulychnia castanea varispiralis "cristata"
• Eulychnia castanea varispiralis "discoidal form"
• Eulychnia castanea varispiralis "mostruosa"

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Origin:  Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Synonyms:  

• Eulychnia mostruosa  v. spiraliforme
• Eulychnia aurata f. monstrosa cristata
• Eulychnia spiralis
• Eulychnia varispiralis

An  crested shoot grafted on a "more common" spiral stem.

Cultivation: This species presents no problems in cultivation and will do well in a sunny spot in a cactus house. These plants will tolerate sun and heat, but not extended periods of frost. The crested form is more frost sensitive and should not be kept at less than -0°C . Grow them in rich, porous, sandy soil, and let their soil dry out between waterings. If potted, repot in the spring, if their roots become cramped. Generally, they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn't necessarily mean they'll need larger containers. Fill about a quarter of the pot with broken crocks, gravel, etc. to promote good drainage. After repotting, do not water for a week or more. The crested plants enjoy a warm sunny environment and for more speedy growth a light position on a higher shelf with light feeding and rainwater given to the bottom of the plant will ensure success, especially with rooted detached branches, which do well in these conditions.

Propagation:  This plant is  frequently grafted onto a  Myrtillocactus geometrizans  trunk, but it is easily grown on its own roots.  It can be increased by cuttings, which will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C. Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer, Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks.

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.