Stenocereus pruinosus

Stenocereus pruinosus is a columnar cactus with broad, rounded ribs and a blue-green to grey-green surface. A natural waxy coating gives the stem a softly frosted appearance, while the widely spaced areoles carry slender reddish-brown spines.

This young plant already shows the broad ribs and distinctive waxy colouring associated with the species. The plant shown in the photographs is the plant supplied. Minor marks or variations in the waxy coating are normal and may change as the plant grows.

Care

• Light: Grow in very bright light or full sun. Introduce the plant gradually to strong direct sunlight to reduce the risk of scorching.
• Water: Water thoroughly, then allow the media to dry completely before watering again.
• Winter: Keep considerably drier during cold weather, particularly when growth has slowed.
• Media: Use a coarse, highly free-draining cactus mix with plenty of mineral material.
• Temperature: Protect from frost and prolonged cold, especially when the potting media is wet.
• Air movement: Provide good ventilation to help the plant dry quickly after watering.
• Fertiliser: Apply a diluted cactus fertiliser during active growth in spring and summer.
• Repotting: Repot during warmer weather when the plant begins to fill its container. Avoid using an oversized pot.

Key Characteristics

• Plant type: Columnar cactus
• Growth habit: Upright, becoming taller and potentially branching with maturity
• Stem: Broad-ribbed with a grey-green to blue-green waxy surface
• Spines: Slender reddish-brown spines from widely spaced areoles
• Flowers: Mature plants may produce large pale flowers
• Fruit: Mature plants may produce fleshy fruit following successful pollination
• Supplied plant: The young plant shown in the photographs