Melocactus zehntneri

[jp29]

Growing in my front yard. I previously mis-identified this as Melocactus pachyacanthus but it's red fruit identify it as Melocactus zehntneri. I started this plant from seed about twenty five years ago - it has been re-potted in plastic pots several times in a progression of pot sizes from 2 3/4" up to the present 10" round pot where it has resided for the past few years:

[Kamos]

Very nice James! That is an impressive cactus!:-)

[Snowcat]

Wow a king plant! I wonder is the cephalium is just a pile of fur or it has "something" inside it, like a changed cactus body only covered with fur? Do you know that?

[Steve Johnson]

Wow a king plant! I wonder is the cephalium is just a pile of fur or it has "something" inside it, like a changed cactus body only covered with fur? Do you know that?

Cephalia are vegetative bodies that keep growing, so yes -- there is definitely something inside, and big-time!

[cortez753]

Wow! Very nice!

[jp29]

Thank you Kamos and cortez753.

[jp29]

Wow a king plant! I wonder is the cephalium is just a pile of fur or it has "something" inside it, like a changed cactus body only covered with fur? Do you know that?

Reference:

http://www.cactus-art.biz/note-book/Dic ... halium.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CactusFanDan]

Wow a king plant! I wonder is the cephalium is just a pile of fur or it has "something" inside it, like a changed cactus body only covered with fur? Do you know that?

Cephalia are vegetative bodies that keep growing, so yes -- there is definitely something inside, and big-time!

If you consider the different growth phases of a plant, then the cephalium is the adult vegetative phase of an Melocactus. In terms of what it is, it's a densely packed stem with lots of aeroles and fur and stuff packed together. It's a neat little (or big in some cases) organ.

[SDR]

Very impressive. Thanks for the link on the Cephalium. I am tabbing over to finish reading. I have one melo I need to read up on now.

[Saxicola]

I think Melocactus fools or confuses everyone at first. For years I thought it was a monstrose form of a normal cactus. Since I'm not fond of most mutant plants I had no interest in one. Once I understood that is just what the plant does, I had to have one!

[madkactus]

Very fricking nice Interesting that you've repotted the cactus several times over the years. The big taboo about the Melo, as I'm sure you already know, is the plant doesn't take well to being repotted due to the weak root system. Seems like your Melo has no issures about being repotted. I have a Melo (estimated to be 10 years old) less than half the size of your Melo and it's growing a decent size cephalium and flowers and fruits.

[jp29]

Very fricking nice Interesting that you've repotted the cactus several times over the years. The big taboo about the Melo, as I'm sure you already know, is the plant doesn't take well to being repotted due to the weak root system. Seems like your Melo has no issures about being repotted. I have a Melo (estimated to be 10 years old) less than half the size of your Melo and it's growing a decent size cephalium and flowers and fruits.

Thank you. I have not encountered any problems re-potting cephalium bearing Melocactus - Commercial nurseries do that all the time as they grow them from seedlings to mature plants. I do keep my re-potted Melocactus warm until they are well established.