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| Melocactus azureus |
Melocactus
The Melocactus genus includes 40 species of cactus original from Mexico,
the western Indies and of the North part of South America. They are
of slow growth and difficult culture. They present globular stem,
generally solitary, unless apical meristem has been damaged. When
the plant matures, the body stops its growth and a crown called cephalium,
takes place in the upper part. Flowers and fruits will form in there.
Cephalium can be in permanent growth by many years, and in some species
it can exceed the height of the body of the plant. The name of the
genus, used for the first time by Tournefort, comes from Latin melo,
abbreviation of melopepo (term which Pliny the Elder designated to
the melon).
Most of the Melocactus have special requirements which makes them
difficult to grow. They are very prone to rot, reason why they must
stay in containers with very well drained substrate. In summer they
must be watered normally, but in winter they must be kept dry. In
order to assure an optimal growth, it is a good idea to change pots
in spring every two or three years.
The flowers of Melocactus have pink or red shades. They appear abundantly
in spring or autumn, according to the species.
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