Selenicereus validus is the botanical name for succulents, known to home gardeners as the queen of the night cactus. Inspired by legends, it is already interesting because it rarely blooms, but if it gives a flower, then it is incredibly attractive. It’s a pity, such beauty lives very little, only one day to tomorrow again become a prickly and unprepossessing cactus.
Origin
This plant belongs to the genus Selenitereus, morphologically the word consists of two bases: "selenium", which means the moon, and cerius, which means "similar to a wax candle." Because cactus selenitereus is sometimes called the "moonlight."
An incredibly beautiful flower blooms at night, which is why it is sometimes called "moon cactus"
It comes from the moist and shady forests of Central and South America, distributed on the coasts of Cuba, in Mexico, on the islands of Jamaica. Due to the strong subordinate roots formed on thin lashes-shoots, these cacti can "climb" through trees, grow even on steep cliffs.
Interesting. The queen of the night was described in her works of art by many writers and poets. For example, a cactus became the main "hero" of the story of the same name by Athanasius Fet (1876) and the poem by Mikhail Savoyarov "The Revolution at Aptekarsky" (February 1918).
Main types
In addition to the cactus, the queen of the night, the genus Selenicerius has about 25 other species that can grow on trees, and on stones, and on the ground. They are different in appearance and in bloom. More famous flower growers:
- Large-flowered selenicereus (selenicereus grandiflorus) - this is the very "queen of the night", the most famous species is Grandiflorus, the real pride of any grower. This cactus has not very attractive creeping shoots, but an excellent flower appearance with a delicate aroma similar to vanilla. This beauty blossoms at night, pleases the eye from dusk until the morning, then a dazzling white single flower fades. In nature, large-flowered selenicereus can bloom in several buds in turn. So you can admire them for several nights;
- Selenicerius pteranthus is another species of this cactus, it is called the "princess of the night", differs from the "queen" in the absence of aroma. Like the previous plant, this cactus has the same interwoven branches covered with tenacious spines. Even indoor culture has such long intertwined processes of branches that it is sometimes difficult to form and maintain them in the correct form;
Both the queen of the night and pteranthus differ in the size of the flower, it can reach 30 cm in diameter
- Honduran Selenitereus - extremely rare in home floriculture and an infrequent instance even in collections of botanical gardens. Cactus flower 20 cm in diameter, it is beautiful and noble. Specialists from the Moscow Pharmacy Garden have achieved not only flowering in a botanical garden, but also pollination with fruiting. By the way, Selenitereus of Honduras gives an unusual aroma and taste to the fruit;
It looks like a fruit
- Hook-shaped selenitereus - this species has the largest flowers, their diameter reaches 40 cm. The plant stem is 4-5-ribbed, surrounded by hooked processes;
- Selenicereus anthonyanus is another species, in Russian it sounds like the selenicereus Anthony, it is distinguished by an unusual cut of shoots. They are carved, somewhat reminiscent of a fish skeleton. Therefore, the name translated from Latin sounds like "fish bone".
Interesting. The largest cactus, the Queen of the Night, blooms in the Botanical Garden of the BIN RAS of St. Petersburg in late May - early June. It is also called the cactus macdonaldiae, the selenitereus of Madame MacDonald (such a name is given in the world to the famous "Queen of the Night"). He manages to give out a hundred chic buds during the flowering period, half of which are opened to the delight of visitors to the famous garden.
Home Care
The fame of this cactus is associated more with the unusual flower. It was “upon him” that it became fashionable to come to the botanical garden to capture the moment that comes once a year. Growing popularity among lovers of indoor floriculture. Caring for it is not very difficult, but you need to create the conditions for the plant to bloom.
Temperature
The temperature conditions of the plant are consistent with the conditions of central Russia. In winter, it is at rest, because for him the best temperature is plus 15 degrees or slightly higher. It is also important that the cactus does not tolerate drafts and a sharp change in the content regime.
Coloring the flower of a cactus by Anthony is multicolored like watercolor
If he is going to bloom, he needs to be especially protected - with a sharp change in temperature and other adverse conditions, a cactus can very quickly drop buds.
Lighting
Like other types of cacti, selenicerius love the light, so they can safely be placed on the most lighted window sill of the apartment. Plants do not suffer from sunlight and do not get burns, even when exposed to direct rays. In winter, it is advisable to extend the daylight hours to 10 hours by installing a source of artificial lighting near the cactus.
Humidity
In the room where the cactus grows, it is not required to maintain any special humidity. An ordinary apartment is quite suitable for normal plant growth. To avoid dust collection on the processes, it is recommended to periodically wipe them with a damp cloth.
Priming
Soil for such plants is sold ready-made, on the package it says "For succulents and cacti." If you prepare the mixture yourself, then we must remember that the soil should be light, well-permeable to moisture and air.
It is sometimes difficult to create all the conditions for multi-meter lashes of a cactus in a house, but gorgeous flowering is worth these efforts
To prevent the occurrence of rot in the pot, you can pour a handful of crushed charcoal.
Watering
For a cactus, it’s much worse if it is poured than not poured. Like other succulents, a cactus of this species is able to tolerate some lack of moisture in the soil. It will be ideal if you water the plant after a dry crust forms on the soil surface in the pot. Excessive bay can give rise to the formation of fatal rot. Cacti are watered with water at room temperature, preferably soft.
Top dressing
Fertilizers for this plant are also sold ready-made. They are brought in during the flowering period, but also at another time, a cactus that grows intensively needs constant support feeding. Therefore, fertilizing is recommended monthly two to three times, except for the winter period (it lasts from November to March), at which time the cactus needs rest.
Seat selection
In nature, this plant is epiphytic, that is, creeps and develops, attaching itself to other plants or rocky surfaces. Therefore, an ideal placement for a prickly branchy flower would be a vertical support. There is also an ampel method of cultivation.
Important! Cactus juice can cause severe allergic reactions, so it is more often used in homeopathy, using in scanty doses.
Cactus Queen of the Night is an interesting plant for indoor floriculture. It is highly decorative flowers, the fruits can be tasted. More than a century ago, this plant has been described as having a strengthening effect for the human body. So, in folk medicine it is used as a means to treat heart disease and some other health problems.
Basically, it is considered therapeutic extract from selenicerius in the composition of finished preparations for angina pectoris. True, official medicine casts doubt on the effectiveness of treating heart failure in this way.
