Totem Pole Cactus-Skinny Form

Pachycereus schottii var. monstrose, Lophocereus schottii var. monstrosus, Cereus schottii var. monstrosus, Pilocereus schottii var. monstrosus, Lophocereus schottii f. monstrose (there are more synonyms)

Totem Pole Cactus

Cactaceae

Nursery produced cultivar. Lophocereus schottii native to the desert regions of mainland Mexico and the Baja California peninsula of Mexico with small populations also occurring in the most southern part of Arizona.

1 Gallon

10-12'

4-6'

20 to 25°F, -6.7 to -3.9°C

Extreme heat tolerance

Full sun

Very drought tolerant.

None

An interesting specimen cactus which works well in containers or larger planters that accent it. It can also be planted in cactus and rock gardens in warmer areas.

Take cuttings of healthy shoots in spring and summer by cutting the stem with a sterile knife just above a bud or shoot. Leave the cutting in a warm dry place until a callus forms over the wound. Once callused, the cutting should be potted up with cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit in which to place the cut end. This prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath in about 2 to 3 weeks.

Requires excellent drainage to prevent rot.

A slow-growing, but undemanding ornamental pole-shaped cactus, the Mykleyanus form has irregularly-shaped green stems with ribs with sparse areoles. Individual stems branch mostly at the base, and occasionally branch higher along the stems which are generally vertical in growth. Young stems have a waxy bloom on their surface, but can become very marked with age. Mature stems reach 6 inches in diameter. This form has thinner stems and is somewhat faster growing than the obesa form. This plant rarely, if ever, flowers. It likes rich porous soil and can survive drought once a large colony of stems is established. This form differs from the regular monstrose form by having fewer tubercules. It can take temperatures slightly below freezing, but the growing tips should be protected.