Stenogonia (Cactus)

It is a cactus called "chimera", which in mythology is an animal made up of the parts of the body of different animals. In botany the term ''chimera'' means that one plant have the characteristics of two different species. In this case, as the name suggests, we have a spectacular cross between the genus Stenocereus and Obregonia denegrii. We are therefore talking about a very rare grafted plant, not present in nature, which combines the properties of two families together to create a unique and unmistakable genus! Depending on the species grafted, its aspect may be diverse. However, it’s a little cactus, with a dark green stem divided into seven deep ribs, where white small areoles are lined up and from which spines of different lengths develop. The stem is often streaked with whitish or lighter colours and may show, in some cases, odd crested shapes and other kind of irregular, lumpy forms. Here are some tips for its cultivation: It requires a lot of light during all seasons, avoiding direct sun rays in particularly hot hours. Keep it at mild temperatures, never below 5 °C, it is recommended to shelter it in winter. Water moderately in hot weather, only when the soil is completely dry. In winter completely stop watering. A well-draining and mineral-rich substrate is an optimal solution, for example a soil suitable for cactaceae, to which fine gravel can be added. They do not need frequent fertilization, it is sufficient to dilute the fertilizer with watering once a year.