The totem pole cactus (Pachycereus schottii var. monstrosus) is a slow-growing cactus known for its tall, columnar growth and bumpy, spineless skin. It is called a totem pole because its stems look like they have many faces, like totem poles. This cactus, which used to be called Lophocereus schottii var. monstrosus, is a mutant form of the species Pachycereus schottii. It is native to Mexico and was once called Lophocereus schottii var. It is popular as a garden and houseplant worldwide because it looks different and doesn’t need much care.
Care For A Totem Pole Cactus
The totem pole cactus doesn’t need much care because it is used to living in desert climates. The only things this cactus needs to be happy are warm temperatures and lots of sunlight. It grows well in both pots and garden beds. It’s important to know that even though this cactus has pink flowers that only open at night in early spring, they are sterile and won’t make seeds. It is also very rare for the totem pole cactus to flower when grown as a houseplant.
1. Light
One of the most important things you can do for these desert plants is to ensure they get enough light. Totem pole cacti should be grown in a spot with several hours of bright, direct light daily. You could put it right in front of a west- or south-facing window. If these cacti don’t get enough light, they will get tall, and there is a greater chance of getting too much water, or their roots will rot.
2. Soil
Like most other cacti, the totem pole cactus should be planted in a mix of sand and pebbles that drains well. You can use cactus soil or soil for succulents or mix your own cactus soil at home. Mix equal parts of indoor potting soil, sand, and perlite to make a sandy, well-draining mixture that your totem pole cactus will love.
3. Water
Totem pole cacti can survive in very dry conditions, but they can get root rot if they get too much water. Make sure the soil is completely dry between waterings, and remember that it’s better not to water these cacti enough than to water them too much. You should water it less when the cactus goes to sleep in the fall and winter. This means that you may need to water your totem pole cactus every 1 to 2 weeks in the summer, but you may only need to water it once a month in the winter.
4. How Hot And Wet It Is
The totem pole cactus is from hot, dry parts of central and south America. It does well as a houseplant, usually warm and dry. These cacti can also be grown annually in USDA zones 9 through 11. If you live outside of these zones, you should grow them indoors or bring them inside for the winter. If you are growing your totem pole cactus inside, keep it away from cold, drafty windows or air vents.
5. Fertilizer
Totem pole cacti don’t need a lot of food, but they must be fed regularly during the growing season. To get the best results, use a cactus fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer.
How To Make More Totem Pole Cactus
Stem cuttings can be used to make more of these cacti. Even though totem pole cacti are easy to spread, they grow slowly, so don’t expect to see results quickly. By making new plants from your totem pole cactus, you can control how it grows and looks and make new plants to give to friends or keep for yourself (no judgment here!). Here are a few easy steps to help you spread your totem pole cactus.
1. Cut a piece of stem from a healthy totem pole cactus with a sharp, non-serrated knife. Ensure the cut is at least a few inches long for best results.
2. Set the stem cutting(s) aside for 24 hours so the cut end can completely harden.
3. Fill a small pot with cactus soil. Plant the cutting(s) in the soil by gently pressing the bottom of the cutting into the soil. Put the newly potted cuttings where they will get lots of bright, direct sunlight.
4. Wait at least two to three weeks before you water the cuttings. This is important because the cuttings don’t have roots, so they can’t get water from the soil. If you water the cuttings too soon, they will rot and die. If you want to be extra sure, you can gently pull on the cuttings to see if they have roots before you water them, which can sometimes damage them. If you don’t want to check by hand, you should usually wait at least a few weeks before you start watering.
Putting And Moving A Totem Pole Cactus Into A Pot
Since these cacti grow so slowly, they don’t need to be repotted often. Most of the time, once every 2 to 3 years is enough. Repotting should also be done when the plant grows, in the spring or summer. When it’s time to move your cactus to a new pot, choose one that is only a few inches bigger than the old one. Too quickly changing the pot size doesn’t help the plant and can cause it to get too much water.
Pests And Common Plant Diseases
There are a few pests and diseases that can hurt totem pole cacti. Keep an eye out for mealybugs, scale, and aphids, and if you see any of them, treat them immediately. If these desert cacti get too much water, their roots can rot. Make sure your cactus is in a pot with well-draining soil and that the soil dries out completely between waterings to help prevent this terrible plant disease. Most of the time, a totem pole cactus with root rot will have brown and soft stems.
Problems That Often Happen With Totem Pole Cactus
Most of the time, the totem pole cactus doesn’t need much care and is easy to grow. Still, there are a few things you might run into if you try to grow this desert cactus. Watch out for the following typical issues.
1. Taking Stems Apart
When you water plants too much, the stems split. Cacti are very good at storing and absorbing water, but if they take in too much water too quickly, it can cause their skin to swell and eventually split. Most of the time, this happens when the plant is dry for a long time and gets too much water. Even though a split in your totem pole cactus may look bad, it won’t hurt the plant in the long run if you fix the problem with how you water it.
2. Stems That Get Soggy
If you see that the stem of your totem pole cactus is turning brown and soft, your plant probably has root rot. Once a plant’s stems become soft, it is usually too late to save roots. But the cactus can be saved if the rotting stems are cut off above the rot and planted in new soil.
3. Black Spots
A few things can cause black spots on a cactus’s skin, but most of the time, it’s a fungal infection or chemical damage. Fungus usually gets into a plant through cuts or wounds on its skin. The affected area can be cut off, or a fungicide can be used to treat larger infections. Chemical damage can happen to the cactus if it gets too much fertilizer or is exposed to metals like zinc or iron in fertilizer or soil additives. Chemical damage is usually only cosmetic, and as long as the offending product is not used again, it shouldn’t hurt the plant’s health in the long run.
FAQ’S
How Big Does A Totem Pole Cactus Get?
In the wild, totem pole cacti can grow up to 15 feet tall and as wide as they are. But when grown inside, they usually don’t get taller than 6 to 8 feet.
What’s Wrong With My Totem Pole Cactus?
When cacti get too much water or are shocked, they turn yellow. Changes in light, temperature, watering schedule, etc. that are too big can shock a plant that is otherwise healthy and cause it to get too little water. If you water your cactus more often, the problem should disappear over time.
Can Totem Pole Cactus Be Grown From Seed?
The totem pole cactus is a mutant of the cactus Pachycereus schottii. Because of this, it can’t grow from seeds and can only spread by sending out new shoots. Even though it grows flowers, they are sterile, so they won’t make seeds when they die.
