 |
More Views
Cleistocactus samaipatanus
In early 2010, I was searching for Cactus seed online and found images of the flowers of Cleistocactus samaipatanus and was smitten with the show. Whether the plant would survive for me, I did not know, but I had to try it. After planting the seed, I focused on other things and forgot about the seedlings. Then, in the summer of 2010, I was fortunate to be able to make a surprise trip to Bolivia. On that trip, I saw this plant in the wild. When I got home, I thought it ironic that I had crossed the path of this previously unknown to me, cactus, twice in one year. Now I am so glad that I purchased the seed that have grown into the plants we offer here. This species has slender upright to decumbent, acid-green stems about 1-1/2 to 2 inches in diameter and which are protected by short, fine-textured, golden-colored spines. Red to pinkish-red tubular flowers are displayed along the stem during the early part of the growing season. The flowers are approx. 2 inches long, and unlike some other species of the genus Cleistocactus, the flowers flare open flamboyantly. I imagine the flowers to look like small, tropical songbirds strutting their stuff during a courtship display.
