Cipocereus bradei - Triple Head

Cipocereus bradei – Triple Head

You will receive this exact, big specimen.
Measures just over 12" tall at present and features a triple head.
Roots as shown.
Showcased here in one-of-a-kind handmade pottery (sold separately).
Will be shipped bare root.  

Cipocereus bradei is a rare and endangered columnar cactus species native to the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is known for its beautiful glaucous-blue stems, especially when young or stressed, which later fade to gray.

Key characteristics:

• Growth Habit: Shrub or tree-like form, with several branched shoots reaching up to 3.5 meters tall.
• Stems: Inflated and bluish-gray when young, becoming dull gray with age. They can reach 8-9 cm in diameter and have 8-10 ribs.
• Spines: Variable, often absent on older shoots. Black central spines (1-2) up to 3.5 cm long, and brownish radial spines (4-5) up to 1.5 cm long.
• Flowers: Nocturnal, with pale petals and fleshy tubes.
• Fruits: Dark, globose, and covered in a thick blue wax, making them appear blue.
• Habitat: Thrives in the southeastern campo rupestre, a rugged environment with crystalline rocks, at elevations between 500 and 1,200 meters.
• Conservation Status: Endangered due to habitat loss from mining and fires. There are thought to be only 50-200 individuals remaining in the wild. 

Cultivation:

• Light: Prefers ample bright light, preferably direct sunlight.
• Soil: Requires well-draining cactus potting mix to prevent root rot.
• Watering: Allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Water regularly, but avoid overwatering.
• Hardiness: Can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. It can tolerate temperatures down to -7°C.
• Growth: Grows relatively quickly and needs repotting every 1-2 years.
• Pests: Watch out for mealybugs and scale. 

Taxonomy:

• Family: Cactaceae
• Genus: Cipocereus
• Species: bradei
• Described by: Daniela Cristina Zappi and Nigel Paul Taylor
• Named in honor of: German botanist Alexander Curt Bradei