Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Blue candle, Blue flame, Garambullo, Whortleberry cactus, Bilberry cactus
Also known as Cereus geometrizans, Myrtillocactus grandiareolatus
- Height × spread
- 4m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
It grows from the base with very upright stems that are smooth looking and coloured a light blue- green shade. There are six to eight shallow set ribs and these carry neat clusters of black spines at regular, bumpy intervals. Little white flowers are borne near the top. The youngest stems are blue and have a glaucous sheen. This beautiful form will grow up to four or five metres in height in its Southern Mexican homeland.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Round
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 3m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 1.5m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Gravelly soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Acid (ericaceous), Alkaline
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves & stems are prickly/thorny
AutumnNow
Autumn-Winter · Indoors
Keep dry during dormancy
Keep dry during the period of dormancy or resting, which is likely to be from the middle of the autumn until spring.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Use a houseplant fertiliser that has low nitrogen content. Apply this several times while the plant is in active growth, reduce feeding and then stop feeding when the plant begins to fade, or winter starts.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water regularly during growth
Water regularly while in growth
Adopt a regime whereby plants are thoroughly watered every week so that they do not become dessicated. In hot weather watering may need to be more frequent, but less often in cool or moist conditions.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Compost · Planting
Cactus compost for repotting
Use standard cactus compost. Top the soil with grit or granite chips to ensure perfect drainage around plant stem. Repot when the plant is dry and delay watering for 3 days after repotting.
You can also make own compost using 3 parts John Innes no. 2, 1 part horticultural grit, and 1 part horticultural grade perlite or pumice. There are many 'recipes' available and opinions vary widely - consult specialist literature or websites.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, eg windowsill
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible. It is suitable for sunny windowsills as it can cope with high day temperatures and lower night temperatures.