Cleistocactus strausii is the scientific name of a very particular cactus whose vulgar name is none other than Silver torchin reference to the small white spines that appear throughout the plant.
This cactus lives wild in two places in South America: Tarija, in Bolivia, and the North region of Argentina. It is an ideal cactus to combine with others and create a delicate contrast due to the grayish color it acquires when the base green is combined with the white spines.
Morphology
The Silver torch It is a cactus with erect and thin stems, which have a diameter of between 3 and 6 cm although they can reach 2 meters in height. We were talking about the thorns that give it personality. They appear throughout the body of the cactus, from the base to the top, and there are two types. Some are thin and white, similar to the bristles of a brush, and are found on the areolas. The others are 4 yellow spines that reach up to 4 cm in length.
In addition to the thorns, the Cleistocactus strausii It stands out for its flowers, which are elongated and tubular, open at one end. In addition, they are of a carmine color that contrasts greatly with the color of the rest of the plant.
The best for this cactus
In the North of Argentina, where the White Torch originates from, the plant adapts naturally to the climatic variations typical of this region: hot and dry days, cold nights. That is why it is a type of cactus that supports low temperatures, resisting a thermometer of up to -15 degrees Celsius. However, this does not happen with sun exposure. Like all cacti, needs full light.
The soil will not be a problem for the Cleistocactus strausii as it does not present problems of adaptation, being able to accommodate without inconvenience in arid and poor soils. The same happens with irrigation because it can go through long periods of drought and use the accumulated water.
What is good is to have a large space or a generous pot because the roots of this cactus need a certain surface to expand. It is also recommended to make a fertilizer every summer to offer more nutrients to the plant.
