Description
Cleistocactus strausii is a perennial cactus of the family Cactaceae.
Cactus (Cleistocactus strausii) is known for a single, fuzzy white spine. Thriving in windowsills, greenhouses and even outdoors, the Silver Torch requires plenty of space to spread its roots. When it reaches 18 inches in height, watch for a beautiful show as peach-colored blooms appear during spring and summer months.
Cleistocactus strausii (silver torch or wooly torch) is a perennial cactus of the family Cactaceae. It is native to high mountain regions of Bolivia and Argentina, above 3,000 m (9,843 ft).Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Silver Torch, Wooly Torch, Silver Torch Cactus. |
| Maximum Reachable Height | Older cactuses, over 45 cm (17.5 in) tall, produce deep red, burgundy, flowers in late summer. The 6 cm (2.5 in) long cylindrical flowers protrude horizontally from the columns |
| Bloom Time | summer. |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow. |
Planting and care
Cactus grown indoors tend to gather dust. These spiny cacti can be effectively washed down with a soft shaving brush.
When cleaning them, it is a good idea to protect the roots by laying a piece of plastic sheeting over the potting mixture to prevent undue wetting at the base of the plant.Use newspaper as a wrapping to protect the hands from the spines when handling the cactus.
Silver torch care
| Sunlight | Strong sunlight. |
| Watering | Rare watering. |
| Soil | free draining soils. |
| Temperature | Does not prefer high temperatures. It can withstand hard frosts down to -10C. |
| Fertilizer | At the start of the growth period, apply a dressing of long term slow fertiliser and stir it into the surface soil in the pot. As an alternative, fertiliser may be incorporated with the potting mixture when repotting. |
Silver torch uses
Ornamental Use:
- Cleistocactus strausii makes an attractive landscape plant and or container patio plant where some height is needed, being an attractive accent plant
- This columnar tall cactus is suitable for large landscape
- Indoors make a spectacular ascent plant as mature Cleistocactus strausii and will flower if it is provided with enough light