Growth Over Time - (10) Stetsonia coryne (toothpick cactus)

[WayneByerly]

This cactus Stetsonia coryne (toothpick cactus) was first purchased in 2014 as a tiny globular cactus. Within the next year I could see that this cactus, as it grew, would turn out to be a columnar cactus. It's done a good bit of growth in the last three years.

2014
Prized for it's long spines. Wikipedia says that there is but a single species to this genus.

2014-05-03 (S).jpg (114.45 KiB) Viewed 2935 times

I think for some obsure unknown reason that the color of new spines is very attractive.

2014-05-03 {T}.jpg (83.92 KiB) Viewed 2935 times

2015
It's starting to outgrow it's "globular" shape. From the side ...

2015-12-27 (S).jpg (143.23 KiB) Viewed 2935 times

... and from the top.

2015-12-27 (T).jpg (118.11 KiB) Viewed 2935 times

2016
Compare this picture to the last picture of it's crown and you can see all the new growth in spines.

2016-10-06 (C).jpg (121.08 KiB) Viewed 2935 times

From the side ...
You can see 2016's growth in this cactus as the lighter "blue" growth in the upper quarter of its height. Count the areoles from bottom to top. I count, if my basic mathematical skills still serve me correctly, six. This picture also shows to best effect, the length of it's spines, although it does not show them in their entirety.

2016-10-06 (S).jpg (144.04 KiB) Viewed 2935 times

... and from the top

2016-10-06 (T).jpg (115.77 KiB) Viewed 2935 times

2017
Count the areoles from bottom to top. For this year, I get seven. Not a LOT of growth in a single year, but discernable.

2017-11-11 (S).jpg (126.57 KiB) Viewed 2935 times

[ElieEstephane]

It's getting a lot less than ideal conditions wayne. These need full sun to grow well. I started with a seedling the same as yours this spring and it's now even bigger than yours even though i hibetnated it 2 months early. Full sun and a good amount of water and you'll get a lot more growth!

[WayneByerly]

It's getting a lot less than ideal conditions wayne. These need full sun to grow well.

It in the greenhouse... which could be considered equivalent to 10% shadecloth i think (according to something i read I'm pretty sure) ... the only more "full sun" it could get is if I took it out of the greenhouse... but then it would be subject to rain.

You can see the plastic of the greenhouse in the background of the last photo.

But Its only been there the last two years (2 summers & 1 winter... this will be its 2nd winter).

Post a picture of yours here.

[ElieEstephane]

Maybe water it more?
Look at the tallest one. The growth this season started below the blue skin. So basically 90% of this growth is from this season and i hiberanted this one late september rather than late november which was very foolish. I could have gotten a lot more out of it.

[WayneByerly]

Maybe water it more? Look at the tallest one.

Doesn't look like the same species (or subspecies??) does it? Think i should bring it inside (where its warm with 16hrs of light per day?

[ElieEstephane]

It's definitely stetsonia coryne. Some are green some are blue.
Anway, now that the growing season is over leave it as it is to hibernate. Next spring give it more water and see how it reacts.