Origin: southern Peru
Synonyms: Browningia hertlingiana, Azureocereus hertlingianus, Clistanthocereus hertlingianus
Description: Browningia hertlingiana also known as the “Blue Cereus” is a huge columnar cactus sought after by collectors because the juvenile specimens have a beautiful blue frosty covering. It one of the few really blue cacti.
Habit: It is a perennial treelike, stem succulent, with columnar few branched stems that, under favourable conditions, can reach the ultimate height of 8 m and spread of 4 m.
Stem: Trunk undivided about 1 m tall from which several stems arise, main and side stems usually unbranched (or very few benched above), erect up 30 cm in diameter, the new growth is a fantastic vivid turquoise blue while old growth turns a pale olive green. The typical blue covering only develops in a warm climate and with much light.
Flower: Nocturnal, white up to 5 cm in diameter
Blooming season: Flowers appear in summer, only on plants over 1 m tall.
Cultivation and Propagation: Browningia hertlingianais a much decorative relatively frost hardy summer grower species. Still with it's blue colour and gold spines the plant is stunning even out of flower.
Soil: Grow it in a rich and particularly draining substratum, as it is very sensitive to rottenness when in presence of humidity and low temperatures and let the soil dry out between waterings., they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.
Watering: Water regularly from March till October, the thin, fibrous roots suffer if there is humidity, therefore the plant should be watered only when the surrounding terrain is dry. Keep dry as soon as the temperature starts dropping in October.
Hardiness: They need to be kept in a cool place during winter rest and are somewhat resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather with little danger of being killed (unlike most of the Pilosocereus species). They are hardy to -5 C ° C or less, for short periods
Sun Exposure: Exposure: It need full sun exposures with ample airflow for best appearance.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
Bloom Season
Flower Color
Growth Rate
Hardiness Zone
Mature Size
Resistance
Sun Exposure
| Bloom Season | Summer and often later |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Browningia hertlingiana |
| Common Name | Blue cereus |
| Dormancy | Winter |
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Flower Color | Pink |
| Growth Habit | Globose |
| Growth Rate | Slow growth |
| Hardiness Zone | 8a to 11b |
| Mature Size | 8 m |
| Native Area | Southern peru |
| Resistance | 5°c |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun |
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
- Description
- Key Plant Features
Origin: southern Peru
Synonyms: Browningia hertlingiana, Azureocereus hertlingianus, Clistanthocereus hertlingianus
Description: Browningia hertlingiana also known as the “Blue Cereus” is a huge columnar cactus sought after by collectors because the juvenile specimens have a beautiful blue frosty covering. It one of the few really blue cacti.
Habit: It is a perennial treelike, stem succulent, with columnar few branched stems that, under favourable conditions, can reach the ultimate height of 8 m and spread of 4 m.
Stem: Trunk undivided about 1 m tall from which several stems arise, main and side stems usually unbranched (or very few benched above), erect up 30 cm in diameter, the new growth is a fantastic vivid turquoise blue while old growth turns a pale olive green. The typical blue covering only develops in a warm climate and with much light.
Flower: Nocturnal, white up to 5 cm in diameter
Blooming season: Flowers appear in summer, only on plants over 1 m tall.
Cultivation and Propagation: Browningia hertlingianais a much decorative relatively frost hardy summer grower species. Still with it's blue colour and gold spines the plant is stunning even out of flower.
Soil: Grow it in a rich and particularly draining substratum, as it is very sensitive to rottenness when in presence of humidity and low temperatures and let the soil dry out between waterings., they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.
Watering: Water regularly from March till October, the thin, fibrous roots suffer if there is humidity, therefore the plant should be watered only when the surrounding terrain is dry. Keep dry as soon as the temperature starts dropping in October.
Hardiness: They need to be kept in a cool place during winter rest and are somewhat resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather with little danger of being killed (unlike most of the Pilosocereus species). They are hardy to -5 C ° C or less, for short periods
Sun Exposure: Exposure: It need full sun exposures with ample airflow for best appearance.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
