How to grow the pencil cactus so it thrives

You have all probably heard of Singles' Day, but do you know about the pencil cactus? The pencil cactus is a small tree native to eastern Africa, where the climate is hot and dry. To reduce water evaporation, its leaves drop off soon after they emerge, and its branches contain a lot of chlorophyll, which can replace the leaves in photosynthesis and provide the nutrients it needs for growth, making it a rather unusual woody plant. Below, Qinnong Web will introduce the cultivation methods for the pencil cactus.

I. Growth habits of the pencil cactus

Influenced by the climate of its place of origin, the pencil cactus has evolved continuously over thousands of years and has now become a plant tolerant of drought, salt, wind and dryness. The pencil cactus likes a warm growing environment and sunlight, and can often be placed outdoors, but in summer when the sun is intense, be careful not to expose it to blazing sun. The most suitable growing temperature is between 25°C and 30°C. Below, let us take a closer look at the cultivation methods for the pencil cactus.

II. Cultivation methods for the pencil cactus

1. Watering

The pencil cactus is a succulent plant with strong drought tolerance, so it should not be watered too much; wait until the soil has dried out completely before watering. In the hotter summer, do not give it a heavy watering right after sun exposure, as this can easily cause leaf drop. When the temperature is above 30°C, the whole plant is in a dormant or semi-dormant state, and watering should then be controlled.

2. Soil

To plant the pencil cactus, choose soil with fairly strong drainage. You can mix leaf mold and garden soil at a ratio of 2:1, add a small amount of river sand to make the growing medium, and place a little hoof and horn meal or other slow-release fertilizer at the bottom. To enhance drainage, you can also lay a layer of crushed stone and tiles at the bottom of the pot.

3. Light

As already mentioned when introducing its growth habits, the pencil cactus is a plant that greatly enjoys sunlight, and it can be placed in a sunny environment all year round, but avoid blazing sun.

4. Fertilizing

The fertilizing period for the pencil cactus is mainly during its growth stage, when a thin diluted liquid fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can be applied once every 7 to 10 days, and the fertilizer should not be too concentrated. Winter is the dormant period for the pencil cactus, and fertilizing should then be stopped, otherwise it can easily cause root rot.

5. Pruning

Pruning of the pencil cactus is generally done when transplanting or repotting. When transplanting, trim and tidy the overly long main root or injured roots; when repotting, properly thin out and tidy the old roots, rotten roots and overly dense roots.

The above is the cultivation method for the pencil cactus compiled for you by Qinnong Web. Combined with the pencil cactus's characteristics of cold and wind tolerance, this tree is very suitable for planting as a windbreak or for afforestation. At the same time, the pencil cactus can also be used to produce biodiesel, making it a multipurpose energy plant.