Cleistocactus winteri - 20 Seed Pack - Exotic Cactus Succulent -Combined Global Shipping- NEW

Cleistocactus is a genus of columnar cacti native to mountainous areas of Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia and Argentina at altitudes of about 3000 meters. They are perennial cacti belonging to the family Cactaceae. The name comes from the Greek kleistos meaning closed because the flowers hardly open. The stems are tall and mostly slender and often many-branched with numerous ribs with closely set areoles and spines. The flowers are tubular and the tips hardly open with only the style and stamens usually protruding. This genus is widespread throughout much of South America and can be found growing in large shrubby clumps mixed in with other vegetation or clamoring over boulders. 

Several species are extremely popular in cultivation and are among the most common of cactus in nurseries worldwide; the two most popular of all being Cleistocactus strausii and Cleistocactus winteri.

These cacti prefers free draining soils, strong sunlight, but not high temperatures — in fact it can withstand hard frosts down to -10°C. In its natural habitat it receives plenty of water during the summer, but almost none over the winter. In cultivation, watering too much in winter often leads to root rot. They grow well in pots and their growth can be stunted by keeping them in small pots.

Cleistocactus winteri is commonly known as Golden Rat Tail. It is one of three species named rat tail cactus. This plant forms huge tangled mounds of fairly rapid growth. It has many short bristly golden spines that literally cover the surface of the stems. While most of its relatives tend to be more upright, this particular species has stems that have a pendant or trailing habit. The individual stems can reach 100 or so cm in length. It has very attractive golden spines and flowers are a vivid orange or salmon-pink colour and can last for several days.