Fairy Castle Cactus – Cactus Plants

Fairy Castle Cactus is a dwarf, columnar, branching, slow-growing cactus with spiny, 5-sided, mid-green stems producing numerous smaller offsets. It can reach a height of 1.8 m. Nocturnal, white or yellow flowers are rarely produced.

Scientific classification:

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Echinocereeae
Genus: Acanthocereus

Scientific Name: Acanthocereus tetragonus ‘Fairy Castle’.
Synonyms: Acanthocereus floridanus f. monstruosa, Cereus ‘Fairy Castle’, Cereus ‘Green Fingers’, Cereus hildmannianus f. monstruosus ‘Fairy Castles’, Cereus tetragonus ‘Fairy Castles’.
Common Names: Fairy Castle Cactus.

How to grow and maintain Fairy Castle Cactus:

Light:
It grows well in a bright sunny location that is away from drafts or air conditioning.

Soil:
It prefers any rich, well-drained, good cactus potting soil.

Temperature:
It prefers average temperatures between 50 degrees Fahrenheit – 75 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 degrees Celsius – 24 degrees Celsius are ideal but not below 40 degrees Fahrenheit / 5 degrees Celsius and avoid frost.

Water:
Water moderately, during the growing season. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry out before watering again. During the winter season, do not water the plants but just keep them moist otherwise they will rot.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize once a month, during the growing season (spring) with a weak liquid cactus fertilizer.

Propagation:
It can be propagated by cuttings. Simply cut a branch and replant in moist, well-drained soil. It helps to allow the cut end dry out and harden before you replant it. This makes it easier for the new cactus to form roots.

Repotting:
Repotting should be done every other year, or when the plant has outgrown its pot. To re-pot cacti, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently expel the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you re-pot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.

Pests and Diseases:
It has no serious pest and diseases problems. Watch for infestations of mealybug, scale insects, and spider mite.