Rare plant varieties are a delight to look into, and if you're a collector who loves plants, you might not be able to resist getting a few. There are rare plants in every subsection of plants, and cacti are no exception. You might have heard of the rare spiral cactus; before you invest in this plant, we suggest getting to know what the plant needs and what sets it apart from other cacti. Luckily, we have all the tips and tricks you need!
How to grow Spiral cactus
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
Mature Cereus forbesii ‘spiralis’ like full sun, and a sunny position or window or greenhouse is ideal, but young plants like to have more shade until they are more mature. If you are growing these Cacti behind glass though you will need to protect them from intense midday sun on very hot days in Summer, this is to prevent scorch or yellowing of the cactus skin, and a shade cloth or light net curtain can be used over glass to protect these cacti from the very hot midday sun in Summer. If you only have a north facing window that never receives any sun or growing indoors away from windows then LED Plant Grow lights especially made for plants can be used to replicate the natural full spectrum light and sunlight that these cacti need to grow and thrive.
SOIL
Cereus forbseii ‘Spiralis’ need a very well draining cactus and succulent soil that is free draining and dries out fast in between watering’s, you can use any good quality cactus soil that is ideally low in peat, but I like to make up my own Cactus soil of 3 equal parts of Loam, Grit and Horticultural sharp Sand, you can also use Pumice or Perlite or Lava Rock instead of Grit, the most important thing to remember is that the soil drains fast and dries out fast in between watering.
WATERING
Spring and Summer water when the soil in the pot has dried out and reduce watering from late Summer, keep Cereus forbesii ‘Spiralis’ cacti dry with little to no water over the Winter months, If your cactus starts to look shrivelled over the Winter months then a light watering can be given as long as the temperature you are overwintering your Cactus is above 10 Celsius /50 Fahrenheit, as temperatures lower than this can cause rot.
TEMPERATURE
These Cacti like a minimum Winter temperature of 50 Fahrenheit / 10 Celsius and they are not frost hardy at all. The ideal temperature during their growing season in Spring and Summer is around 60 – 80 Fahrenheit / 15 – 27 Celsius, its best to protect these cacti from excess heat above 85 Fahrenheit / 30 Celsius because stems can scar and scab and yellowing can occur unless plenty of ventilation can be given, open windows and use circulating fans in very hot sunny weather.
RE POTTING
Re potting is best done in Spring and Summer and when the cactus has outgrown its pot. Cereus forbesii ‘Spiralis’ grow fast when they are given plenty of root space and you may need to re pot every one to two years. Once repotted its best to keep these cacti unwatered for a week to ten days to allow the roots to settle into the new soil and pot.
FLOWERING
Cereus forbesii ‘Spiralis’ will produce White and pink blooms in Summer with buds a deep purple colour, red fruits form if the flowers get pollinated.
PROPAGATION
Cereus forbesii ‘Spiralis’ can be propagated by seeds or from cuttings taken in Spring or Summer, Cuttings must be allowed to fully callus over for a few days or weeks first before planting. These cacti grow tall and branch out over time and these branches can be pruned off and taken as cuttings. Seeds will germinate after 2-6 weeks.
Care tips for a spiral cactus
Since this plant is rarer, you’ll have a harder time finding them and you’ll have to invest more money into obtaining one. This means if it dies, you’ll have a more challenging time replacing it, and your wallet won’t be too happy with you either. So here is a complete guide to caring for this twisty cacti.
Step 1: Water your cactus regularly during spring and summer, then cut back on water during fall and winter.
Cacti grow more slowly during cool weather, which means they use less water. If you don't reduce your watering when the weather begins to cool off, you're more likely to see root rot.
Step 2: Invest in a moisture meter to more accurately measure the amount of water in your cactus's soil.
Step 3: Remove the cactus from it's tray when watering, to allow the excess water to drain properly.
Watering your cactus while it's still in the tray can lead to improper drainage. If you see water pooling in the tray, dry it with a towel to avoid letting the cactus sit in water.
Step 4: Keep young spiral cacti in mixed sun and shade.
They should get at least 4 hours of sun a day, but avoid leaving them in full sun. Young plants are more sensitive to light, and cacti are no exception!
Step 5: Watch for pale spots on young cacti.
These are a sign of too much direct light. If you notice these, move your plant to a shadier location.
Step 6: Place mature plants in full sun.
Step 7: Feed your spiral cactus with a balanced fertilizer twice a month during the spring and summer months.
Don't feed them during fall or winter.
Step 8: Avoid exposing your spiral cactus to temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or rapidly fluctuating temperatures.
Drafty windows and air vents can weaken or even kill your cactus over time.
Step 9: Handle your cactus with care and keep it away from children and pets.
Although it isn't toxic, the sharp spines will still hurt to touch! Wear gloves to protect your hands.
Step 10: Repot the spiral cactus every other year to freshen up the soil or when the plant has outgrown the pot.
Since these cacti get tall, you’ll want to use a heavy pot to prevent the cactus from tipping over.