The genus Cereus includes about 60 species of columnar South American cacti. Very variable, some branch at the base and some branch further up with a candelabra effect. Some have thick stems up to six inches around and some barely a half inch. They are all night bloomers and flower color ranges from pink, white to green, sometimes with reddish or purple highlights. They are very large, some six to eight inches long and wide and are followed by red, purple or green edible fruits. The fruit has a mildly sweet taste. Many monstrose and cristate forms are available in cultivation, one of the most popular being the cultivar "Camelot"
    Cereus are easy to grow and can take heat and sun if watered enough. Grow in a typical fast draining cacti mix and water plentifully to moderately throughout the growing season. Water sparingly over winter. A monthly dose of 1/2 strength tomato fertilizer can promote flowering.

My Cereus

Cereus "Camelot"	Cereus aethiops	Cereus spegazzinii	Cereus hildmannianus ssp uruguayanus
Cereus huntingtonianus	Cereus validus

All images and text are copyright 2006 D.S. Franges, unless otherwise noted.