Matucana, some very curious collectible cacti

Collectible cacti are succulent plants that are becoming increasingly fashionable. And it is that, we are so little used to seeing them that their beauty dazzles us, as it happens to us with matucana.

Native to the homonymous city located in Peru, these thorny friends are so decorative that it is not surprising that we want to have the odd specimen at home. But, How do you take care of yourself?

Origin and characteristics of the Matucana

Our protagonist is a native cactus from Matucana, a city located northeast of Lima (Peru), where it lives in the western mountain range. It has a more or less globular body, which over time becomes a bit columnar. Depending on the species, it can be well armed with many spines like the one you can see above, or have very few like the one M. madisonorum.

The flowers are very pretty, white, orange or red according to the species. They appear in spring or summer, and last for several days.

What care do you need?

If you want to get a copy, we recommend providing the following care:

• Location: it must be placed in a sunny exposure; Now, if you live in a very hot area (such as the Mediterranean region) it is better to be in semi-shade.
• Irrigation: scarce. During the hottest period, it should be watered every 4-5 days, while the rest of the year, one watering every 15 days or every month will suffice.
• Subscriber: it must be paid with liquid fertilizers for cactus following the indications specified on the packaging.
• Transplant: every two years, in spring.
• Substratum: it must be planted in pots with very porous substrates, such as pomx or washed river sand.
• Multiplication: by seeds and cuttings in spring or summer.
• Rusticity: supports mild frosts, down to -2ºC, but needs protection against hail.

Have you ever seen this cactus?