Chamecereus (Echinopsis Chamaecereus), a highly ornamental, small-sized plant, is directly related to the genus Cactus.
Argentina is the birthplace and natural habitat of the chamecereus.
Because of its easy care and spectacular flowering, the plant is highly sought after by flower growers.
Chamecereus can be a very variable species. It is often low-branched cacti that have many branches and low, vertically growing green stems.
There are many varieties available with creeping stems and varieties with yellow stems.
These cacti grow into large colonies and occupy all the space in the pot.
The ribs are vertical and low. The spines are short, straight, light, and close together.
The funnel-shaped flowers, which measure 3-7 cm in height, are found in the upper portion of the stems. They can be painted in a variety of shades of pink and red, but there are also cacti that have white and yellow flowers.
Chamecereus flowers will appear in their third year if they are taken care of properly. Each flower lasts about one day. However, the flowering period can last up to three weeks.
Scientific name: echinopsis ‘Rose Quartz
Common names: peanut peanut
Synonyms: Chamaecereus ‘Rose Quartz’, Echinopsis chamaecereus ‘Rose Quartz’, × Chamaelobivia ‘Rose Quartz’
Scientific classification
Family: Cactaceae. This cactus, formerly known as x Chamaelobivia ‘Rose Quartz, is a hybrid between Chamaecereus silvestrii (now renamed Echinopsis chamacereus ) and unknown Lobvia but since Chamaecereus and Lobvia are now reclassified as echinopsis that makes it a hybrid echinopsis .
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae Genus: Echinopsis
Chamelobivia (Echinopsis) Rose Quartz (Peanut Cactus)
echinopsis ‘Rose Quartz’, also known as Echinopsis chamaecereus ‘Rose Quartz’ or ox Chamaelobivia ‘Rose Quartz, is a cactus with an upright growth habit that offsets and flowers profusely.
The stems are thicker than those of Echinopsis Chamaecereus.
The flowers are pink and up to 3 inches (7.75 cm) in size.
Chamaelobivia, a popular hybrid, produces amazing flowers in a variety of colors on its original “peanut”-body. Many of these hybrids also have cultivar names.
These plants produce beautiful showy flowers that can grow to as many as 30 or more flowers per day.
These hybrids are usually thicker, stronger, and larger than the plants they replace. These hybrids can be grown outdoors year-round and can take in lots of suns. Frost resistance can vary from -4deg S to -12deg S depending on the clone.
Sturdiness
USDA Hardiness Zone 10a to 11b: 30°F (−1.1°C) to 50°F (+10°C).
Grow and Care for a Rose Quartz Cactus
You can easily grow succulents and cacti successfully, so you should be able to grow echinopsis species.
They, like many cacti, prefer to dry between waterings.
Watering deeply is important. The plant will begin to swell.
Cactus should be kept out of stagnant and prolonged humidity.
Don’t let your cactus eat from a pot of water.
For best results, fertilize your plants throughout the growing season.
echinopsis is easy to root from offsets. These tend to cluster around a mother plant’s base.
Then, cut the offsets as close as possible to the stem in the shortest place.
Rooting cacti using cuttings is as easy as it gets. Let the cutting dry on a towel and cut the cacti as thinly as you can.
The cut surface should be dried within a few days or weeks depending on how large it is.
After the callus has developed, you can place the cut in a fast-draining mixture of cactus soil rooting.
Conditions of maintenance and care:
Lighting
Lighting: Bright, diffused lighting is recommended for cacti. Although all cacti prefer full sun, some need special care when exposed to direct sunlight for long periods of time. If a plant is placed on a windowsill that receives full sun, the light should be diffused by curtains or blinds to prevent damage from heat or dehydration. Cacti should also not be in direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, as they can suffer from dehydration and sunburn.
Humidity
Humidity: optimal humidity – medium or low, that is, a room with central heating is optimal; it is necessary to moisten the soil either in the early morning or at night to prevent burns of the trunk from the sun; the cactus does not need spraying, it does not react well to moisture, water drops can lead to raids and dark spots.
Temperature regime
Temperature: the range of acceptable temperatures for cacti is +10°C-+ 27°C, but there are species that tolerate the heat of +37°C and vice versa; -5°C- 9°C is a cold temperature for cacti, it is suitable for wintering cacti so that they can fall into a dormant state; for some of the more delicate species, the optimum overwintering temperature is 10°C – 12°C.
Watering
The common misconception is that you should only water them sparingly, but in reality, you should be watering them once the soil has dried out. It’s better to water too little than too much.
The key is monitoring the soil for moisture and then watering accordingly. This is best done by using a moisture sensor or by using a wooden dowel pushed into the dirt until it reaches the bottom of the container.
To water your succulents, simply pour water over the soil until it begins to flow out of the bottom drainage hole. Do not water again until the soil has dried out again.
Soil should be damp but not wet or soggy. You don’t want to see any puddles in the saucer where your plant sits either.
Also, it’s important to realize that succulents are very sensitive to salt build-up in their soil, so when you’re choosing a container for your succulent make sure you choose one with adequate drainage holes to prevent root rot and salt buildup in their roots.
In summer, watering is carried out approximately – 1 time in 10 days; in winter, the plant “sleeps”, so watering is reduced to 1 time in 25 – 30 days;
Transfer
Once every few years, you need to transplant a cactus. This is done in the spring. Adult cacti need to be transplanted when they are cramped in a pot. This procedure is carried out by using a sharp knife for severing the roots and then removing the plant from its container. The number of roots can differ depending on how big the pot is. Cacti are usually transplanted in their pots and need watering regularly once they are placed outside.
Reproduction
Reproduction: children (shoots), cuttings, seeds, grafting
– when propagating by children, it is necessary to immediately root the child in the soil mixture, in no case deepening the root neck (leaf earth 1 part, sand 2 parts);
– when propagating by cuttings: it is necessary to cut off the upper part of the cactus, dry the cutting for several days and root it in the ground, just like the baby;
– when propagating by seeds, a container with holes at the bottom and a moist soil mixture is used, the seeds should lie on the surface, they do not need to be sprinkled, the container is covered with a film and placed in a warm, lit place, not forgetting to ventilate and moisten the soil mixture.
FAQ
How big do rose quartz cacti get?
Rose quartz cacti are known to be remarkably hardy, often growing without much care in their natural habitats. Even the most novice of indoor gardeners can have success with these plants!
‘Rose Quartz’ generally grows between 6 and 12 inches tall (15 to 30 centimeters), with arms reaching 3 to 5 inches (8 to 15 centimeters) in length. Though small, it is an exceptional variety for beginners, as it has a low susceptibility to pests such as mealy bugs—making this cactus a low-maintenance addition to the decorative containers and sunny windowsills of all succulent enthusiasts!