Cylindropuntia leptocaulis(DC . ) F.M.Knuth
Desert Christmas Cactus , Desert Christmas Cholla , Pencil Cactus , Pencil Cholla , Tesajo Cactus , Christmas Cactus , Christmas Cholla , Rattail Cactus , lissom - base Cactus , Turkey Cactus , Turkey Pear , Tasajillo ( Spanish )
Cylindropuntia leptocaulisvar.leptocaulis , Grusonia leptocaulis , Opuntia leptocaulis

Fruits. In habitat, Ramos Arizpe, Coahuila, Mexico. Derivative of a photo by mithz. Used underCC BY-NC 4.0. This work is licensed under the same license as the original photo by World of Succulents.
Family : CactaceaeSubfamily : OpuntioideaeTribe : CylindropuntieaeGenus : Cylindropuntia
The specific name " leptocaulis " ( pronounced " lep - toh - KAW - liss " ) think of " slight - stemmed , slender - stem " and consult to the slender branches of this species .
Cylindropuntia leptocaulisis native to theUnited States(Arizona , New Mexico , Oklahoma , and Texas ) andMexico(Sonora , Chihuahua , Coahuila , Nuevo León , Durango , Tamaulipas , and Zacatecas ) . It grows on sandy , loamy , or gravelly soils in deserts , grassland , chaparral , woodlands , flat , bajadas , and slopes at elevations between 130 and 4,920 feet ( 40 and 1,500 m ) .

Flowers and buds. In habitat, Seguin, Texas, United States. Photo bylauni. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Cylindropuntia leptocaulisis a sparingly to densely separate cactus with lissome branches that take over many myopic , commonly spinelessbranchletsarranged mostly at right angles . It can produce up to 6 feet ( 1.8 m ) magniloquent , ordinarily as an erectshrubor sometimes as a humble tree with a body quantify up to 4 column inch ( 10 curium ) in diameter . The stem segment are greyish - green or purplish , cylindrical , with lineartuberclesthat facial expression like elongate wrinkles when dried . They can get through up to 3.2 inch ( 8 cm ) in length and 0.25 inches ( 0.6 cm ) in diam . The spines are lacking or mostly in apicalareolesof the main branch , ordinarily one , but occasionally up to 3 per areole . They are unbowed or arching , red - brown with grey - white software and chicken at the tip , and can maturate up to 1.8 inches ( 4.5 cm ) long . There are also a few little yellow-bellied or ruddy - brownglochids . The wooly areoles are lily-white to yellow , becoming gray with age .
The prime are funnel - shaped , pale chicken to greenish - icteric , sometimes tipped crimson , and can reach up to 1 in ( 2.5 cm ) in length ( includingovary ) and 0.8 inches ( 2 cm ) in diam . The fruits are fleshy , smooth or covered in minute glochids , red , occasionally jaundiced , and contain pale - yellow seeds . They areobovateand can rise up to 1.2 inches ( 3 cm ) farsighted and 0.5 inches ( 1.2 cm ) in diameter .
wakeful : C. leptocaulisthrives in full sun . Indoors , a window with access to sunlight for 6 hours a Clarence Shepard Day Jr. works advantageously . Some tint during noon and good afternoon can prevent suntan in very spicy mood .

A flower and buds. In cultivation, Sun Valley, California, United States. Derivative of photo by Vicki Cerda. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
land : This cactus requires a well - draining soil mixture . It prefers flaxen or gravelly soil but can tolerate other soil type if there is proficient drainage . apply a commercial-grade cactus potting mix , orcreate your own .
Temperature : Extremely tolerant of high temperatures , this cactus favour nerveless temperatures in wintertime . C. leptocauliscan hold up temperature as abject as 25 ° F ( -3.9 ° C).USDA Plant Hardiness Zones9b to 11b , 25 ° F to 50 ° F ( -3.9 ° 100 to 10 ° C ) .
Watering : From spring to accrue , water moderately and permit the dirt dry out out wholly before watering again . In most areas , rainfall will be enough for naturalized plants . For a potted plant , never rent the container sit around in water . Suspendwateringin wintertime .

Close-up of fruits. In habitat, Brewster County, Texas, United States. Derivative of a photo byAd Konings. Used underCC BY-NC 4.0. This work is licensed under the same license as the original photo by World of Succulents.
Fertilizing : C. leptocaulisdoes not need fertilizer when planted in the soil . However , it will benefit from fertilise during the develop time of year if grow in a container . Apply a piss - soluble fertiliser . debar fertilize during the winter when the plant goes dormant .
Repotting : Repot only when yourC. leptocaulisbecomes potbound or is too large and unstable in its container . select a slightly big container with drain hole at the bottom . The best prison term for repotting is late winter or other spring .
multiplication : you may propagateC. leptocaulisby cuttings ( stem segment ) or seeds . start up this cactus from seeds is a slow procedure , and it may take 3 to 4 years before you have a substantive plant . generation by fore segment is the leisurely method and yields faster results . The unspoiled clip to take cuttings is other summertime . Sow the seeds in late leaping .
hear more atHow to Grow and Care for Opuntia .
C. leptocaulisis not toxic to human or darling . However , it is best keep open away from ducky and children as its glochids may cause restrained peel irritation .
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