{"product_id":"nasiona-kaktusa-chichipe-polaskia-chichipe","title":"Chichipe Cactus Seeds - Polaskia chichipe","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003eChichipe Cactus - Polaskia chichipe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003ePolaskia chichipe\u003c\/strong\u003e is a tree-like, highly branched columnar cactus from southern Mexico. In nature, it reaches \u003cstrong\u003e3–5 m in height\u003c\/strong\u003e, forming a short trunk and a dense, candelabra-like crown of slightly curved, light green stems measuring 7–9 cm in diameter. The stems have 9–12 sharp ribs and gray spines with darker tips: one central spine up to 1.5 cm long and 6–8 radial spines. The species is valued as an ornamental plant and as a source of edible fruit, known in Mexico as chichituna.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth and development characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eFor a columnar cactus, \u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003ePolaskia chichipe\u003c\/strong\u003e grows at a \u003cstrong\u003emoderate rate\u003c\/strong\u003e - faster than many globular species, but more slowly than in nature. In a pot, in the temperate climate of Europe, young plants grow by \u003cstrong\u003eseveral centimeters per year\u003c\/strong\u003e, and a 30–50 cm-tall column is the result of several years of cultivation. Branching and a tree-like shape appear only in older specimens.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering and fruiting\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe flowers of \u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003ePolaskia chichipe\u003c\/strong\u003e are \u003cstrong\u003e2–4 cm long and 3–4 cm in diameter\u003c\/strong\u003e, yellowish green to creamy white, and open at night, remaining open until the following evening. After pollination, spherical, dark red to purple fruits measuring \u003cstrong\u003e2–3.3 cm\u003c\/strong\u003e in diameter ripen, with juicy red flesh; the spines on unripe fruits fall off as they mature. Only large, mature plants flower, so under home-growing conditions this is a rare reward for many years of cultivation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin and natural habitat\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eThe natural range of \u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003ePolaskia chichipe\u003c\/strong\u003e includes the Mexican states of \u003cstrong\u003ePuebla, Oaxaca and Michoacán\u003c\/strong\u003e, including the Tehuacán Valley, famous for its wealth of cacti. It grows in xerophytic scrub at elevations of \u003cstrong\u003e1600–2300 m above sea level\u003c\/strong\u003e, on calcareous alluvial cones and shallow soils. On the IUCN Red List, the species is classified as \u003cstrong\u003eLeast Concern (LC)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCultivation requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003ePolaskia chichipe\u003c\/strong\u003e needs \u003cstrong\u003efull sun\u003c\/strong\u003e all year round; only young plants in small pots should be protected from the harshest summer sunlight. The substrate must be very well drained - universal potting soil with a large proportion of pumice, lava or coarse sand, with a pH of about 6–7.5. The roots do not tolerate standing water, so during the growing season, water thoroughly but only after the soil has dried out completely. The optimal growing temperature is around \u003cstrong\u003e20–35 °C\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003eIn the temperate climate of Europe, the species is grown in a container. It tolerates brief drops to around 0 °C only when the substrate is dry; safe overwintering requires a bright location at a temperature of \u003cstrong\u003e5–10 °C\u003c\/strong\u003e and withholding water from late autumn to early spring. During the growing season, diluted cactus fertilizer once a month is sufficient; fertilization is unnecessary in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:14pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrnamental use\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp style=\"font-size:12pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"color:#656B39;\"\u003ePolaskia chichipe\u003c\/strong\u003e is an appealing collector's plant: its light green, regularly ribbed columns and gray spines look striking in a single pot and in compositions with other columnar cacti. The species is practically pest-free and is suitable for sunny windowsills, greenhouses and summer terraces. In Mediterranean regions (USDA 9 and above), it is sometimes planted in the ground in xeriscape gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"mr.seed","offers":[{"title":"10","offer_id":54108267348296,"sku":"2712","price":6.3,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true},{"title":"100","offer_id":54108267381064,"sku":"2713","price":48.0,"currency_code":"PLN","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0939\/2649\/0440\/files\/Nasiona-Kaktusa-ChichipePolaskia-Chichipe.webp?v=1790068430","url":"https:\/\/www.mrseed.eu\/en\/products\/nasiona-kaktusa-chichipe-polaskia-chichipe","provider":"mr.seed","version":"1.0","type":"link"}