Cylindropuntia alcahes
Clavellina. Clavellina Cactus, Clavellina Cholla
Size
ex 9cm pots
Availability: Sold Out
£12.99
Quick Overview
  • Large shrubby Cholla cactus
  • Densely armoured with many spines
  • Free-draining gritty alkaline soil on south-facing gradient
  • Full sun
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Cylindropuntia alcahes, Clavellina Cactus is a robust shrubby Cholla from Baja California where it grows in a very hot dry climate on sandy, gritty alkaline soils. It has many branching densely-spined segments forming a low spiky bush. The tubercles are low but distinct and when mature it produces flowers with pale greenish-yellow petals tinged with brownish-red markings with many green filaments and yellow anthers. These are followed by yellow tubercled fruits.

Coming from such an arid landscape as the Baja California peninsula it is not surprising that Cylindropuntia alcahes is so well adapted to surviving extremes of heat and drought. What is somewhat surprising is its ability to cope with low sub-zero temperatures. However, it remains a challenge to grow this stunningly architectural xerophyte in the UK because of our notoriously wet winters. A perfectly free-draining gritty substrate, ideally on a raised bed or a south-facing gradient is essential. Large slabs of flat rock can be used to drain surface water away from the roots before it permeates down through the substrate.


Additional Information

Order Caryophyllales
Family Cactaceae
Sub-Family Opuntioideae
Synonyms Cylindropuntia alcahes var. burrageana, Cylindropuntia brevispina, Grusonia alcahes, Opuntia alcahes
Geographical Origin Mexico: Baja California, Baja California Sur
Cultivation A dry, free-draining, gritty, sandy, alkaline substrate is imperative. Water from spring through to autumn then stop watering so no water at all in winter
Eventual Height 1-2m
Eventual Spread 1-2m
Hardiness Keeping it dry in winter is the challenge in the UK. It is very cold tolerant but not with wet roots. Use slabs of rock on a gradient to drain surface water or experiment with rain shelters. Alternatively, keep in a large container and move in winter
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Cylindropuntia alcahes
Clavellina. Clavellina Cactus, Clavellina Cholla
Size
ex 9cm pots
£12.99
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend
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