Are you WONDERING about the growth of Myrtillocactus Geometrizans? As a beginner, growing a new plant in your garden can be a little CHALLENGING.
Don’t worry if you are new to growing Cacti & Succulents. We will TEACH you how to grow and take CARE of your Myrtillocactus geometrizans.
Horticulturists at AsterGardening are experts. We guide you to unlock the SECRETS of these blue myrtle plants.
You deeply appreciate growing Myrtillocactus Geometrizans in your home GARDEN. They add unparalleled beauty to your LANDSCAPE.
This article contains the HISTORICAL significance of the Myrtillocactus Geometrizans dinosaur back plant.
You will also learn about these plants’ physical characteristics and caring TIPS.
Description and Features of Myrtillocactus Geometrizans
Family name: Cactaceae
Common Name: Blue Myrtle Cactus
Distribution: Widespread throughout the central Mexican states
Altitude: Grows at an elevation of 1,000 to 2,000 meters above the sea level
Blooming season: Spring
Growth Rate: Moderate growth, reaching up to 90 centimeters in just a few years with a maximum height of 16.5 feet
1. History
Myrtillocactus Geometrizans forma cristata is an upright cactus plant. It looks like a TREE and resembles a candelabra.
The plant’s FIRST IDENTIFICATION can be traced back to 1837. Give credit to the MAN Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius for it.
Initially, it was linked with the Myrtillocactus genus. Later an Italian BOTANIST attributed a name change to Myrtillocactus Geometrizans.
Myrtillocactus belong to the Greek word myrtillus. Which means myrtle, which is an EVERGREEN shrub.
The second name Geometrizans is due to the amazing GEOMETRIC pattern on the plant.
Myrtillocactus Geometrizans are NATIVE to central and northern Mexico. You will find them around northern HEMISPHERE.
2. Characteristics
The Myrtillocactus Geometrizans has a thick stem with 5-8 RIBS.
They come together to give off an architectural structure. The stem is adorned with AREOLES with up to 9 black radicals and central spines.
When these plants grow two years old, they produce showy greenish-white flowers. It will become DARK red in color and lead to dark red to blue.
To add flavor, there are SWEET and oblong fruits in the northern HEMISPHERE.
3. Cultivation Notes
The Geometrizans (dinosaur back plant) thrive in full sunlight to grow PROPERLY. But you need to avoid full sun if your plant is YOUNG.
Young Myrtillocactus Geometrizans need partial SHADE to grow properly. Ensure watering your plant REGULARLY in summer.
There should be DRY intervals between the waterings. However, during winter, they need extra protection from water and frost.
You can also REPOT every year to make room for growth in a new pot.
Ideal Growing Conditions of Myrtillocactus Geometrizans
Here are some of the best-growing conditions for your Myrtillocactus geometrizans forma cristata;
1. Soil
Dinosaur back plants prefer to grow in a gritty and sharp DRAINING mix. You can also use a cactus mix, which works the same in the pot.
Most gardeners also advise amending the soil MIXTURE with sand. You can also amend it with fine pumice with more than 50%.
It helps to improve the overall GRITTINESS and drainage in the soil.
The soil must be well DRAINING along with gravel to remove extra moisture. Only well-draining soil ensures proper air CIRCULATION of the plant.
I advise keeping the soil draining but not FILLED with moisture all the time. Circulation in the soil is necessary but not at the cost of DAMAGE to the plant.
2. Watering and Feeding
OVERWATERING Myrtillocactus Geometrizans can cause untimely death (they like it dry). Avoid watering and wait till the soil is completely DRY.
My Myrtillocactus grew into a perfect tall plant due to my less WATERING strategy. Water more frequently during winders. It is safe to CUT back on the water daily.
Add fertilizer to your dinosaur back plant crested during the summer and spring. During this time, the succulent plant is growing.
I ensured proper and calculated fertilizer addition TECHNIQUES on my planting. It worked well and helped the planting to grow dramatically.
3. Hardiness
These Myrtillocactus Geometrizans are semi-hardy or cold-hardy. Your Myrtillocactus geometrizans forma cristata is best to grow in WINTER.
I did not let the temperature go below -4 degrees C around the plant to PROTECT them from frosting. I used frost barriers to keep the environment checked during winter.
The hardiness zone of the Myrtillocactus Geometrizans forma cristata ranges from 9a to 11b. You have to be in these ZONES if you want to grow this CACTUS.
Back Plant Crested BLUE Flame is an evergreen shrubby plant. You have to provide complete full sun exposure to ensure its PROPER growth.
4. Light
Myrtillocactus Geometrizans need a lot of suns. You need to ensure providing them with DIRECT sunlight for 5 hours daily.
If your crested blue candle-looking plants are young, they need SHADE or partial sun. When the sun is on top, direct light might DAMAGE your plants.
Are you planning to keep Myrtillocactus Geometrizans F indoors or outdoors? If planted indoors, fix a south–facing window for them.
Put Myrtillocactus Geometrizans in DIRECT sunlight after they are 2 years of age.
My crested blue candle plant grew out PERFECTLY due to ideal sunlight. I ensured the sun’s hours and protected from the peak and INTENSE sun rays.
5. Propagation
These crested blue myrtles need propagation during summer. You propagate by cutting in hot WEATHER.
You have to let the CUTTING callus before you plant them again. Keep the mixture dry and warm till they root again.
My dinosaur back plant crested and grew perfectly when propagating in the summer. Propagation through seed or stem CUTTINGS both are possible.
You can choose what suits you more; I prefer stem cutting as it is more CONVENIENT.
6. Temperature/ Humidity
Do you know the best temperature to grow your dinosaur back plant?
This succulent is semi or cold-hardy. It needs a cool or WARM climate to grow PROPERLY inadequate moisture.
The overall temperature needs to be somewhere BETWEEN 60F to 80F. What if it falls below that? It is time to bring your blue candle cactus INDOORS.
I usually keep my room temperature above 50F even when it is FREEZING outside. It keeps my succulent cactus SAFE and healthy.Because cooler temperatures can make Myrtillocactus Geometrizans dormant for months.
Caring Points for Myrtillocactus Geometrizans
Here are some points to take care of your Myrtillocactus geometrizans forma cristata;
1. Potting
Potting at the right time with the right potting soil is important for GROWING succulents. Use a big pot to give room for your PLANT to grow.
I took 1 size larger than my PREVIOUS pot to give my plant more space to grow easily.
Also, ensure the pot has some HOLES at the bottom to allow water to drain while passing through the potting soil.
After watering, these holes are also necessary for air circulation through the soil.
2. Light & Climate
Avoid adding your young waxy blue cactus to the full sun. Please keep them in light SHADE or partial sun and wait until they are mature enough to tolerate full sun.
You can put the pot in a SUNNY location in winter. For this, growing zones of Central and Northern Mexico are best for this succulent.
These fast-growing cactus have a temperature TOLERANCE of about 25 degrees F.
When there is summer, Myrtillocactus geometrizans forma cristata can take the sun directly. But I put them in a cool, well-lighted spot during winter to ensure proper and new growth.
Don’t let the TEMPERATURE drop below 50F in winter; it will kill the plant soon.
3. Soil & Transplanting
The Myrtillocactus plant requires well–drained soil. Keep the soil moist but to a tolerable level for this succulent.
Myrtillocactus Geometrizans are DROUGHT-resistant plants. They grow exceptionally well into thick columnar trunk-like structures.
To keep your plant with PROPER care, you must add gravel cactus soil into the potting mix of your plant.
Gravel is a loose mix of ROCK fragments, and they help in water filtration. What is the purpose of adding GRAVEL to your soil? It helps the watering effect go deep into the soil.
I used cactus soil and moderate watering to keep the plant hydrated. I also avoided too much water, which could DAMAGE the plant.
4. Fertilizer
Fertilizer is used during the spring and summer months. You can apply fertilizer once after every THREE weeks. You can also provide them one time in a month.
During the hibernation of your plant in the WINTERTIME, avoid using any fertilizer. Over-fertilizing is FATAL for your crested blue myrtle.
You have to ensure a 5-10-10 NPK balance of your fertilizer. Phosphorus is HIGHER in amount as it helps keep the nitrogen level better for proper GROWTH.
I usually check the PHOSPHORUS fertilizer level regularly. Its deficiency can cause the yellowing of these perfect crested BLUE candle plants.
5. Pruning and Repotting
It is very important to prune or repot your plant when needed. While this blue-green CRESTED candelabra does not need much care and maintenance.
When it gets ESTABLISHED once, it grows on its own most of the time without needing extra ATTENTION.
When you establish the plant, care for it by not exposing it to too much light and KEEPING the water limit MINIMUM.
You can also repot them once every year to keep the THICK and waxy branches growing.
I repot after a year when the plant is YOUNG, and it works fine after 2 to 3 years.
6. Pests & Diseases
You also have to watch for common pests attacking your dinosaur back plant. Many diseases include MEALY bugs, scale, and aphids to help you grow.
There is also ROOT rot that occurs due to overwatering. It would help if you kept your myrtle safe from these pests and diseases.
I protected my plant from fungal diseases by ensuring dry conditions. This plant is susceptible to diseases, including ROOT rot.
DAMP and poorly drained cactus soils are home to fungus and last longer if you don’t solve them on time.
FAQs about Myrtillocactus Geometrizans
1. How often will a cactus flower?
Most of the time, they can take almost 10 years to bloom properly. But some might take more than 50 years and start producing flowers. There are some cacti like agaves; they only flower once in their whole life and never again.
2. How fast does a myrtillocactus grow?
The Myrtillocactus geometrizans growth rate is fairly high. It can grow to the maximum height of more than three feet and 90 centimeters in a little time a year. This blue myrtle can grow 16.5 feet tall on average when you grow it outside.
3. Does a cactus plant do photosynthesis through leaves?
All types of cactus plants take part in photosynthesis. They collect carbon dioxide through different holes in their leaves. They are known as stomata and convert it into oxygen and sugar. Most cacti also use CAM photosynthesis, a unique feature of a native succulent.
4. What is the natural habitat of cactus plant?
The Cactus plant is mostly found in the desert. It is native to deserts where the heat is high, and water is less. These are the ideal living condition for the cacti. Along with this, there has to be excellent drainage and lots of light for growth.
5. What is cactus plant used for?
There are multiple uses for cacti plants. They are best to be used as ornamental plants. They are also good for fodder or forage. Moreover, cochineal is also a product of an insect in some varieties.
What’s Next
This article contains all you NEED to know about the Myrtillocactus geometrizans. These incredible cactus plants can fill in your home or YARD with joy. It adds a DIFFERENT touch to your home garden.
Reading this article, you grow the blue CANDLE cactus and take care of them properly.
Ensure you are PROVIDING them with lots of suns. As they are DESERT plants, they don’t need much water.
You also have to keep the temperature in check and keep them indoors if it is FREEZING outside.
If you want more details about Myrtillocactus, don’t worry, you can trust us to solve your problem.
Buckle up and visit AsterGardening to learn more about your favorite plants. Our website is the perfect resource to keep you updated with GARDENING knowledge.
