Toothpick cactus

Toothpick cactus Stetsonia coryne

What is the plant

Stetsonia is a genus of cactus, with the sole species Stetsonia coryne, the toothpick cactus. The plant is native to the deserts and dry forest of Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay. Stetsonia coryne grows to a height of 15 to 25 ft tall.

Stetsonia coryne, the only species of the genus Stetsonia, is a large, massive, tree-like columnar cactus that grows to a height of 3-10 m tall and is one of the most striking features of hot desert regions in Argentina. In outline, the plants resemble somewhat the many-branched Polaskia chichipe and Polaskia chende of Mexico's Valle de Tehuacan, branching quickly and prolifically from a short trunk to present an overall appearance of an inverted triangle set on a post. It is among the most famous cacti for the fiercely spines that cover the trunk and should prove an interesting and eye-catching plant for the specialist collector and for those wanting a somewhat different plant.

If you’ve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information.

Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

12°C - 30°C

Hardiness zone

9a - 11b

Difficulty

Easy

Water
They like only a short winter's rest and should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months. If the soil is allowed to be dry for too long root loss could follow but equally the same result would occur if the plants are both wet and cold. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth. Water regularly during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water. During hot weather you may need to water the plants more frequently so long as the plant is actively growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by October you should be back in to the winter watering regime.
Sunlight
Need full sun avoiding only the harshest summer sun, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and greener and could be prone to rotting due to over watering.
Fertilizer
Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn't been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months. A little bit of some liquid fertiliser can be added during the period of growth.

Want to learn more about plants?

Explore our easy-to-read educational Blog

Soil
Furnish good drainage and use a an open and free draining mineral compost that allows therefore roots to breath.
Temperature
The plant is frost tolerant as low as -4°C (or possibly colder) but in cultivation it is best to avoid any frost when during the winter the temperature can go down to 2°C without any harm so long as the compost is very dry. During the summer it is best to keep the plants outside where the temperature can rise to over 30°C with no harm to the plant.
Container
Choose any type of container with enough drainage holes if growing inside.