Hylocereus is a plant that resembles a long, thorny vine and belongs to the Cactaceae family. Some researchers of the botanical world call him the king of cactus plants. The flowering period is accompanied by the appearance of snow-white flowers like a crown, which exude a dizzying aroma at night. The place of origin of hilocereus is the countries of Central America. The plant also lives in tropical zones of other continental regions.
Description of the Hilocereus plant
Hilocereus is capable of reaching impressive sizes. The height of the bushes at their peak of development ranges from two meters. Wide dark green stems are covered with a waxy bloom. The fleshy stems are lowered, they have three edges on the cut. Bushes grow rapidly in horizontal and vertical directions. The length of one cactus shoot is no more than 3 meters. The root system is airy. Filiform root layers are formed at internodes. They absorb nutrients directly from the air. Long bundles of needles are located on sharp edges. Some of the spines are soft. There are some types of cactus that have no needles on their stems at all.
Two- or four-year-old hilocereus, ready to ripen, begin to bloom. White, purple and cream shades of inflorescences predominate. The buds lie on the tops. The flower heads open only at night. The middle of the bud is covered with yellow stamens. Pollination is carried out by insects. The pollinated cactus bears fruit with fragrant pitahais. The fruits are allowed to be eaten raw.
Pitahayas reach the size of a kiwi or small melon. The skin of the fruit is bright pink with soft bulges. Under the skin is a delicate, nutritious white or purple pulp. The fruit contains many small black grains. In a favorable environment, hilocereus can bloom and produce pitahaya several times throughout the year.
Types and varieties of hilocereus with a photo
Hilocereus includes 25 species. Most of the appellations are successfully cultivated and grown at home. Let's consider the most interesting and memorable ones.
Hylocereus costaricensis
It is characterized by dense creeping stems with large inflorescences growing at the ends. The petals are white, edged with purple shading. The pollinated ovary turns into an egg-shaped purple fruit with a scarlet juicy pulp. The variety became widespread in Peru and Costa Rica.
Hilocereus narrow-winged (Hylocereus stenopterus)
It looks like a compact bush up to 15 cm high. The creeping chestnut stems bloom with pink tubular flowers. The diameter of the pitahaya is about 7 cm. This species is often found in Costa Rica.
Wavy hylocereus (Hylocereus undatus)
It stands out for its long wavy shoots. Their lateral edges are covered with hard needles. Moving into the flowering phase, white flowers appear. The bud heads open at night. Red fruits of elongated shape with white fleshy pulp. The diameter of one fruit is not more than 27 cm.
Hilocereus triangular (Hylocereus trigonus)
The species has creeping, ribbed stems, painted in a green tone. Bunches of yellow needles stick out on the edges. Inflorescences of a white shade are very large.
Hylocereus ocamponis
The area of growth of this species covers the territory of Guatemala and Mexico. Liana-like green stems with a blue tint up to 3 m long. The ends of the shoots are decorated with white inflorescences. Purple bracts are present near the calyx. Pitahayas are colored red or yellow. Ripe fruits smell good.
Hylocereus triangularis
Liana cactus grows in Jamaica, Cuba, including Haiti. The color of the stems is pale green. Shoots have sharp edges with sparse thorns. The plant rests on a network of thin air roots. At the tips of the shoots, white buds are located one by one. The diameter of the flowers is about 20 cm. In perennial bushes, red berries with a diameter of up to 5 cm ripen on the stems.
Field hilocereus
Curved gray-gray stems grow up to 2 m. Soft yellowish needles gather in bunches that protect the pointed edges. White flowers with light green patches up to 30 cm long. Pink fruits consist of yellow or orange juicy flesh, covered with ripe melon.
Caring for hilocereus at home
Hilocereus costs minimal maintenance. Grows well on light nutritious soils. Cacti successfully take root in purchased off-the-shelf substrates. Roots develop quickly, so it is better to pick up a roomy pot for planting right away. If the site is located in the southern regions, the bushes can be grown outdoors. Cacti freeze at temperatures below 0 ° C. Tropical zones are considered the optimal habitat.
The grown seedlings are placed in warm, sunny corners of the garden. A support is installed near the stems so that the cactus, as it grows, clings to thorns and does not break under the weight of fleshy shoots.
Watering is rare. The next watering session is organized only after the earthen coma dries out. In cold weather, soil irrigation is carried out once a week. In winter, cacti are watered only occasionally. Coming out of dormancy, the plant begins to bloom profusely.
Hilocereus diseases and pests
Hilocereus is resistant to diseases and pests. Perennial problems arise from improper care. Stagnant water near the root zone or on the surface of the stems causes the formation of rot, which can destroy the plant. The situation becomes more complicated when the ambient temperature drops rapidly.
Hot and dry air is favorable conditions for the development of spider mites and mealybugs. Stop insect attacks by spraying shoots with insecticidal preparations.
Hilocereus breeding
For seed propagation of hilocereus, mature and dried seeds are used, which have been stored for no longer than 2 years. Planting is carried out in sandy soil with an admixture of leafy earth. The bottom of flower pots is covered with pebbles or expanded clay. The soil is moderately wetted. Seeds are scattered on top and their soil is pressed to a depth of 1 to 1.5 cm. Containers with crops should be in a lighted place at room temperature. Seedlings hatch after 15-25 days.
The vegetative method of reproduction involves the use of a cut stem, which is dried in the fresh air for two days. The stalk is lowered into loose sandy soil and left in a dark place. Rooting takes approximately one month. During this time, the stem is periodically watered and sprayed. When the first roots begin to appear, the hilocereus is transferred to a more illuminated place.
Application of hilocereus
Blooming hilocereus with long drooping stems is not inferior in its decorative effect to other perennials. Cacti, planted next to a garden fence or on a balcony, eventually fill all the free space. At night, the site will be fragrant with the heady aroma of opened snow-white buds.
Hilocereus are one of the most tenacious crops. Often they are used as a rootstock for other succulents and epiphytes.
In the past few years, this species of Cactus has become especially widespread. The value is represented by the delicious fruits of the plant - pitahaya, which were known back in the days of the Mayan peoples. Fragrant pulp contains a large amount of vitamins and nutrients. It is customary to add pitahaya to meat dishes and pastries, or to eat it raw. On the basis of ripe fruits, strong alcoholic drinks are made.
