Cactus pyramidalis

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Since 4 Aug 2013

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Cactus pyramidalis Salm-Dyck
Observ. Bot. Horto Dyck
Family: CACTACEAE

= Melocactus pyramidalis (Salm-Dyck) Link & Otto
Verh. Vereins Beford. Gartenbaues Konigl. Preuss. Staaten 3: 419 1827

Accepted Scientific Name: Melocactus macracanthos (Salm-Dyck) Link & Otto
Verh. Vereins Beford. Gartenbaues Konigl. Preuss. Staaten 3: 418-419 1827.

Cactus pyramidalis (Melocactus pyramidalis) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
KK 567(Collector: Karel Kníže) Locality: Casma Desert, Peru Altitude: 1200m ( 600m in 1977 list)

Origin and Habitat: Tropical America

Synonyms:

Melocactus pyramidalis (Salm-Dyck) Link & Otto

Cactus pyramidalis Salm-Dyck

See all synonyms of Melocactus macracanthos

Description: Melo SN'>20594' alt='20594'>Cactus pyramidalis#SN#20595'>Melo[[Cactus pyramidalisSN' style='border:none;'> is one of the several morphological forms of Melo SN'>25664' alt='20595'>Cactus macracanthos#SN#25665'>Melo[[Cactus macracanthosSN' style='border:none;'> which is quite variable and has received numerous unnecessary names of no botanical value, representing no more than local phenotypes.

Citations from: "General History of the Dichlamydeous Plants" page 161 Vol.3 by George Don:
4 M. PYRAMIDALIS (Link et Otto, diss. p. 10. t. 25.) plant conical or pyramidal, with 17 angles; ribs rather oblique, crenated ; spines very long, in fascicle, of a brownish red colour: outer 14 radiating in 2 series, with 2 or 3 straight and very long. D. S. Native of Curassoa.
Cactus pyramidalisSN|20595]]SN|20595]], Salm-Dyck, obs. 1820. p. 4. Stem when young crowded with spines. Spadix or woolly head cylindrical, depressed at the apex.
Pyramidal Melon-thistle. Shrub 1 foot.
Remarks: It is possible to find in cultivation a form of Melo SN'>20594' alt='25665'>Cactus pyramidalis#SN#20595'>Melo[[Cactus pyramidalisSN' style='border:none;'> raised from the seeds distributed by Karel Kníže (field number KK567 Casma Desert, Peru Altitude: 1200Melo 12607' alt='20595'>Cactus pyramidalis#SN#20595'>Melo[[Cactus pyramidalisSN' style='border:none;'>.

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Cultivation and Propagation: These tropical cacti are not the easiest things to grow and aren’t plants for beginners.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing given the best conditions.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil.
Repotting: The root system is weak and generally resents being repotted and can take a long time to re-establish. Use pot with good drainage.
Light: They preferes very bright light, not as much as the most arid growing cacti, but plenty nonetheless. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Watering: Melocacti grow from April to October and cannot endure long stretches of total dryness, and also too much water will rot them, as their weak root systems tends to be inefficient at sucking up water from wet soil. Nonetheless, again as a result of their tropical origins, they need a fair amount of water, but allow the soil to dry quite a bit before watering again.
Fertilization: Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn't been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.
Hardiness: Melocactus rest from October to April but can’t stand cold, or even fairly cool temperatures, so is indispensable to keep them above 8-12°C at all times, severe damage or death occurring at temperatures that the great majority of cacti wouldn’t mind in the least and prefer more frequent water in winter than other cacti, say once a month. (but hardy to 4 C ° C for short periods). However warmth throughout the year will increase the grower's success ( minimumum12° to 20° C during rest season). In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! (Temperature Zone: USDA 10-12)
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the vulnerable plants every day
- Mealy bugs: Occasionally mealy bugs develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Sciara Flies: Sciara flies are one of the major problems for seedlings. It is a good practice to mulch your seedlings with a layer of grit, which will strongly discourage the flies.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
It is wise to treat your whole collection with a systemic insecticide twice a year in spring and autumn.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Exclusively by Seeds. Sow in February-march in a light, sandy, porous soil. Cover germinating tray with glass to prevent seed from drying out. Germination is most successful at a temperature of 18 to 22° C.

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Cite this page: "Cactus pyramidalis" Text available under a CC-BY-SA Creative Commons Attribution License. www.llifle.com 14 Nov. 2005. 09 Apr 2025. </Encyclopedia/CACTI/Family/Cactaceae/20595/Cactus_pyramidalis>