{"product_id":"browningia-hertlingiana","title":"Browningia hertlingiana","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrowningia hertlingiana\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eYou will receive the exact, large specimen similar shown here. \u003cbr\u003eMeasures 12\" tall!\u003cbr\u003eShowcased here in handmade pottery Turquoise Ledger No. 70 (sold separately).\u003cbr\u003eRoots as shown.\u003cbr\u003eWill be shipped bare root.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDId you know that the color blue rarely occurs in nature?  Think about it...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eWhile blue is common in the sky and water, true blue pigment is exceptionally rare in plants and animals.  ,\u003cspan\u003eMost blue seen in nature, such as in butterflies, bird feathers, or certain fruits, is not a pigment but rather a \"structural color\" produced by micro-structures that scatter light.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBlue cacti have always been one of our specialities!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBrowningia hertlingiana, also known as the Blue Cereus or Blue Cactus, is a striking and highly sought-after columnar cactus species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eOrigin and Habitat:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eNative to the dry Andean forests of southern Peru, specifically the Mantaro Valley and regions of Huancavelica and Ayacucho.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eThrives in arid and semi-arid environments, growing on rocky, well-draining soils at high altitudes (1800-2000 meters).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eAdapted to challenging conditions with minimal rainfall and extreme temperature variations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eWhile relatively abundant in its preferred habitat, human development and agriculture pose a threat due to the limited growing region. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePhysical Characteristics:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eGrowth Habit: Treelike, with columnar, few-branched stems that can reach impressive heights of 5-8 meters (16-26 feet).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eTrunk: A single trunk up to 1 meter high, from which several stems arise.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eStems: Erect, up to 30 cm in diameter, exhibiting a fantastic vivid turquoise blue color when young, transitioning to a pale olive green with age. Requires warm climate and ample light to develop the characteristic blue color.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eRibs: 18 or more ribs, resolved into tubercles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eAreoles: Somewhat sunken into the shoots, bearing spines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eSpines: Dimorphic (different forms in juvenile and mature stems).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level2 lfo3; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"\u003eJuvenile Spines: About 5-8 unequal, poorly differentiated spines (1-3 central, 4-6 radial), yellowish-grey, with the longest up to 8 cm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level2 lfo4; tab-stops: list 1.0in;\"\u003eMature Spines (flowering part): Up to 30 bendable, yellowish, bristle-like spines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eFlowers: Nocturnal, white, up to 5 cm in diameter, blooming in summer, only on plants over 1 meter tall. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eCultivation:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eLight: Prefers full sun exposure for best growth and appearance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eSoil: Needs a rich, well-draining substrate, such as a cactus mix or sandy loam. Avoid excess humidity to prevent root rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eWatering: Water regularly during the growing season (spring\/summer), allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Reduce watering in winter when the plant is dormant.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eTemperature: Needs warm temperatures and is not frost-tolerant. Can tolerate temperatures as low as -5°C for short periods if kept dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eFertilizing: Use a cactus-specific fertilizer, particularly during the growing season. Avoid fertilizing during dormancy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l2 level1 lfo5; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003ePropagation: Primarily by seed, as branches are not suitable for cuttings or grafting. Sow seeds in well-draining, sandy soil during spring. Germination can be erratic. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eAdditional Notes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"margin-top: 0in;\" type=\"disc\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eSought after by collectors for its beautiful blue frosty covering on juvenile specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eOne of the few really blue cacti.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eResistant to heat and verticillium wilt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eGenerally hardy and relatively pest-free when grown in good conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-list: l3 level1 lfo6; tab-stops: list .5in;\"\u003eRequires careful watering to prevent root rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Shangri-Ha Cactus Ranch","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49822248894703,"sku":"CAC421E","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0728\/5014\/5519\/files\/Browningiahertlingiana-RareCactus0618261d.jpg?v=1781810476","url":"https:\/\/shangrihacactusranch.com\/products\/browningia-hertlingiana","provider":"Shangri-Ha Cactus Ranch","version":"1.0","type":"link"}