Stenocereus (Cactus)

Coming from the American tropical areas, these imposing cacti were among the first to be imported also in Europe as ornamental plants for their beauty and their characteristic columnar habit. In the areas of its origin, the Stenocereus fruit is still part of their daily diet, considered highly refreshing and with a slightly acidic flavor. Not many know that even now different ethnic groups use strong and compact stems of this plant as load-bearing structures in buildings, and even the inside of the stems is used as plaster: a cactus which is, therefore, useful not only for decorating, but is also very multifunctional! Here are some tips for its cultivation: It requires a lot of light and likes direct sun rays. It likes hot and dry climates such as the desert ones from which it comes, however it resists well for long periods the temperatures above 8 °C (for short periods it can withstand even lower temperatures). It is recommended to place it in a sheltered place it during the winter period. Water once or twice a week in hot weather; it is preferable to completely suspend watering during the winter period. It is better to use a substrate suitable for cacti, which is well draining, in order to prevent rotting of the roots. These are plants that do not need frequent fertilization, it is sufficient to dilute a specific cacti fertilizer with watering once a year.