Pygmaeocereus bieblii Care

Pygmaeocereus bieblii does not need too much water. Let the soil dry completely before watering again and keep it dry during wintertime as the plant goes dormant. It thrives in drought conditions, and overwatering is the sure way to kill it.

Pygmaeocereus bieblii is not a plant that requires pruning. You can help it absorb more nutrients by cutting the flower once it starts to fade, but other than that, you can just let your cactus live without scissors action.

Use a special fertilizer designed for succulents or cacti. You will not have to use too much of it, as this cactus only really needs fertilization once a month during the growth period in order to boost its blooming.

Keep the sunny window spots available for Pygmaeocereus bieblii, as this plant loves being in the sun. Get as much sun as possible on it year-round, but make sure you don’t keep it in direct sunlight during hot summer days, as the direct sun might burn the plant. Don’t put the plant in the shade, as it will fail to grow or bloom.

The habitat of this plant is rocky soils and sandy dunes, so you would want to replicate this type of soil for the plant to thrive. You can use pre-mix cactus soil or make your sandy mix at home.

You can propagate this cactus by using more methods. Firstly, you can use the seeds from the red fruits that Pygmaeocereus bieblii produces. Then the second method is division. Cut the lateral branches of the cactus, plant them in soil, and they will shortly start to develop roots. After this first step, you can plant the new plant in its new, deeper container.

The plant thrives in temperatures of 68-95°F (20-35°C) and will not survive if exposed to longer periods of frost. If you know the plant will be at temperatures of around 41 F° (5 °C), keep the soil dry and don’t water it until you move it to warmer temperatures. Humidity levels must be low, so keep it away from bathroom or kitchen spaces.

First, use a deep container with drainage holes, as this cactus, or cacti generally, doesn’t like having moist soil. You will need many containers until the plant reaches maturity, as it needs repotting once you see it outgrowing its container or doubling in size. Always go only one size up, and don’t change its pot more than once a year. In its first years, this plant requires yearly repotting; then, you can extend the periods to two to two-three years.

Pygmaeocereus bieblii can become invisible! Well, not quite completely, but it shrinks down to a size almost invisible to notice in its natural habitat, where it is exposed to long periods of drought. During the rainfall season, they grow back to their normal shape.