Fairy Castle Cactus

Fairy Castle Cactus Care

Cereus tetragonus

What is the plant

Cereus tetragonus is a slow-growing columnar cactus native to America with arching branches that resemble the towers of an ancient castle. A mature plant can grow up to 6 ft (1.8 m) tall. Interestingly, experts can attribute the cactus to one of the forms of Acanthocereus tetragonus.

Fairy Castle Cactus has wide pentagonal stems with small spikes, and its limbs are bright green in color. After some time, new branches form on the plant, which grows and create an attractive shape.

The cactus blooms after it is over 10 years old, and its flowers are largely yellow and white.

This plant is common, so you can find it in any store. If you see flowers on the cactus, it is probably done in an unnatural way, in which case you can either carefully remove it or wait for the flower to fall off.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

18°C - 30°C

Hardiness zone

9a - 10b

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
The cactus should be watered once every 2-3 weeks and ensure that there is no excess moisture.
Pruning
Cut the upper branches with disinfected scissors, directing them downwards. This will help the cactus to maintain its beautiful appearance and optimal size.
Fertilizer
After watering, you can use a fertilizer with a low nitrogen content. Use it in the active growth period, usually from March to September.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Needs a lot of sunlight, but it has to be protected from the strongest rays of the sun. In a south-facing window, blinds should be shading it form direct light. A cactus needs at least 10-14 hours of sunlight per day.
Soil
Cacti require a porous, sandy or pebbly potting soil that provides plenty of aeration and excellent drainage. A soil mix for cacti or well-drained sandy soil without clay is ideal. It will prevent root rotting in case of overwatering.
Propagation
Cactus are best propagated by seeds and cuttings. Cut the branch with a sharp blade and transplant it into a moist, well-drained potting mix.

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Temperature
“Fairy Castle Cactus” is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 30°F (-1.1° C), so we recommend to put this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. Cereus tetragonus likes a warm climate, so the best temperature for the plant is 65-75˚F (18-24°C).
Container
A clay pot with drainage holes that will help evaporate excess moisture is best.
Fun fact
Cereus tetragonus fits nicely into any garden because of its resemblance to a small castle.