Melocactus levitestatus – Turk’s Cap Cactus

Melocactus levitestatus – Turk’s Cap Cactus

You will receive a specimen similar to the one shown here.
Measures approximately 9" wide x 7" tall.
After flowering, fruits shaped like peppers appear and attract birds.
In bloom in August!
Roots as shown.
This is a large and heavy specimen so shipping is a little expensive.
Will be shipped bare root.

Melocactus levitestatus is a cactus species recognized for its cephalium, a woolly structure that grows on mature plants.

The stem is typically depressed globose to cylindrical, varying in height and diameter, and is pale gray-green to dark green, sometimes with a bluish hue. It has 9-15 acute ribs. Spines are brownish red, occasionally hooked in young plants. 

The cephalium is 10-18 cm tall and 7-12 cm across, featuring bright red bristles and creamy white wool. Flowers are small and red or red outside with a deep magenta interior, blooming from spring to summer in the late afternoon. The fruit is short and club-shaped, pure white or pale pink. 

Habitat and hardiness

·        Native to Brazil.

·        Prefers full sun to partial shade.

·        Hardiness Zone: 10b-12.

·        Requires good drainage.

·        Not tolerant to cold and needs frost protection. 

Cultivation

·        Soil: Requires well-draining, sandy, and rocky mix, such as a cactus mix with added sand, pumice, or perlite.

·        Watering: Water regularly during the growing season, allowing soil to dry between waterings, but avoid letting it become completely dry, especially in colder months. Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.

·        Fertilizing: Use a low-nitrogen, high-potassium fertilizer. For plants without cephalia, fertilize in spring; for those with cephalia, fertilize every two months during the growing season. Organic fertilizers are recommended.

·        Light: Needs abundant, bright, direct sunlight for survival.

·        Container: Prefers to be slightly root-bound.

·        Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years in spring, or when the plant outgrows its pot.

·        Propagation: Typically done through seeds. 

Other interesting facts

·        The cephalium's resemblance to a fez hat gives the cactus the common name "Turk's Cap Cactus".

·        The fruits are edible and eaten by lizards and birds in their natural habitat. 

To successfully cultivate Melocactus levitestatus, provide adequate light, water, well-draining soil, and manage temperature carefully.