CEREUS

Habitat: Central and South America, West Indies.
Description: the genus is comprised of very tall, woolly, spiny cacti; they show a columnar habit and a tendency to develop lateral branches. Adult specimens bear large, funnel-shaped, white-throated, ephemeral flowers.
Soil: basic mix.
Location: provide full sun for half the day at least.
Temperature: minimum of 5-7°C (41-45°F) with moderate air humidity.
Water: water well and allow the soil to dry during the spring and summer, sparingly during the winter.
Cultivation tips: fast-growing, they benefit from being fertilized monthly during the growing period. Plants raised from seed make good rootstocks for grafting. Repotting is best done in spring.
Main species: C. jamacaru, bluish green with 4 to 6 ribs and thin areoles.
C. aetiops, it flowers when it’s one metre (3.3 ft) high.
C. hildmannianus v. monstruosus.
C. validus, variable in appearance, it bears long spines and flowers profusely during the summer.
C. peruvianus, found naturally in Brazil; the monstrose form is quite common.
C. militaris syn. Backebergia chrysomallus, Mexico; it can attain 18 meters (60 ft) in height; grow in a sunny warm location with a minimum temperature of 15°C (59°F).
C. neotetragonus, commonly known as "fairy castle".
C. azureocereus; C. forbesii; C. grandicostatus.