**Color, spines, and rib thickness can vary based on multiple factors, season etc.** Approx. 11-12" cutting of polaskia chichipe these guys are very nice sized! Ready to be planted in your yard or decorative pots, basic cactus type soil/soil that drains well is always best! Handle with CARE and please see our FAQ for basic care info. https://thesucculentsource.com/pages/cactus-cuttings-faq **Cactus are not perfect, they may have small flaws, we try and photograph all sides of a cactus including any flaws that catch our attention, but please do not expect every spine to be perfect, these are growing cactus and like people, they have character! Description: The standard Polaskia chichipe is a columnar tree-like cactus with many curved branches, up to 5 m tall. The beautiful crested form is very rare in collection and highly priced for its sculptural shape and powdery grey-blue epidermis. Older crested plant can reach a considerable size (up to 2 m tall and in diameter, or more )Stems: Powdery grey and green with wavy ribs; Areoles: 1 to 1.5 cm apart;Spines: Greyish up to 5cm but usually shorter; 1 central spine; 6-8 radials.Flowers: Small yellowish-green. Anthesis diurnal as well as partly nocturnal. Fruit: 2-3 cm edible. Economical uses: Polaskia chichipe is cultivated in central Mexico for its edible red fruits (chichituna) and branches used as fuel wood. Cultivated plants have larger and sweeter fruits, a longer period of fruit production, and are self-compatible. Cultivation: Polaskia grow slowly and are cold intolerant, make sure that they are not exposed to freezing temperatures or they may die. During the summer it is best to keep the plants outside where the temperature can rise to over 30 C with no harm to the plant. Furnish good drainage and use a an open and free draining mineral compost that allows therefore roots to breath. They like only a short winter's rest and should be kept almost completely dry during the winter months, If the soil is allowed to be dry for too long root loss could follow but equally the same result would occur if the plants are both wet and cold. From March onward the plant will begin to grow and watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant should be in full growth. Water regularly during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to drain and not sit in a tray of water. During hot weather you may need to water the plants more frequently so long as the plant is actively growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by October you should be back in to the winter watering regime.Need full sun avoiding only the harshest summer sun, if kept too dark they may become overly lush and greener and could be prone to rotting due to over watering.Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn't been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onward as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months. Propagation: by vegetative propagation grafting or stem cuttings. As a Disclaimer, ALL of our CACTUS, whether potted or as cuttings are sold strictly for ornamental pleasure! They look awesome and they’re fun to grow and collect! Please don’t ask us if we sell any cactus that will make you smarter, we don’t. Please don’t ask us if we sell any cactus that will make you more attractive, we don’t. Grow hair? We don’t! Lose weight? We don’t. Grow muscles? We don’t!
