Polaskia chichipe is part of the Cactaceae family and its native range is Mexico (Puebla, Michoacán, Oaxaca) where it grows primarily in the desert or dry shrubland biome as a tree. P. chichipe are a columnar cactus with curved branches, their green-grey stems have defined ribs and they can reach a height of 5m in their native environment. This species has small diurnal yellow-green flowers. Genus name honours Charles Polaski, an American Cactus enthusiast. Light: Allow the plant to see the sun for as many hours of the day as possible; Polaskia require direct light to grow well. Water: Allow the potting mix to dry out completely in between waterings; Polaskia store the water they need for photosynthesis inside their stems. Before watering, aerate the potting mix with a few pokes of a skewer or blunt stick, pour water slowly over the top of the substrate and allow the water to pass through the drainage holes. Potting mix: A mix of predominantly non-organic material like clay, pumice or lava grit with a small amount of coco coir. Fertilising: Feed every few waterings during the growing season. You can dilute fertiliser to half the recommended amount but never add more. Temperature: 18-26˚C. They can tolerate short periods of between 8 and 12˚C. Humidity: Average humidity; if the humidity is particularly high, good ventilation is key to prevent mildew and fungal disease. Polaskia chichipe is non-toxic.
