Machaerocereus eruca

Machaerocereus is a creeping cactus which exclusively grows in sandy soils: after an initial upward development, the plant lays down on the ground and, proceeding horizontally, begins to branch off, until it creates a series of colonies. The plant has a diameter that ranges from 4 to 8 centimetres and an elongated shape which in nature might reach up to 3 meters; in a pot, instead, the growth is limited to a few centimetres. Made up of 12 ribs, it has a series of big areolas along its length, placed within a few centimetres from each other and with 20 white thorns. This succulent plant loves the light and sun, and can be kept outdoor all year in those areas where there are no frosts: it can be cultivated very easily. The plant requires a minimum quantity of water and prefers sandy soils where water stagnation cannot occur. It is very difficult to observe its blooming: in nature, in fact, blooming occurs only after abundant rainfalls and, furthermore, this is a night blooming in which appears only a big white crown with red borders. Reproduction can be made through grafting using scions: the plants attach to each other very easily, and therefore you can quickly obtain the next generation.