The equivalent of “thin jeans” in the cactus world are Mexican fence posts. No other huge cactus has this much flesh showing. This common moniker doesn’t give one of the most significant and dependable huge cacti for premium appearance and contemporary design credit.
Maybe you’ve been scrolling through Pinterest and current publications looking at pictures of the ethnobotanical garden in Oaxaca City that have been posted online. Fence post cactus linear plantings have finally reached their pinnacle and are now the favorites of the unnatural planting crowd. Many years ago, I went to the same Oaxacan garden right after it had been established, and I still have pictures of the original flowers on the grounds of a former convent from the Spanish colonial era. Since then, I’ve been mesmerized by the rural cactus fences made by lining up solitary stems of this species in a solid line to form a mass. These are incredibly simple to maintain with drip irrigation and can make beautiful screens because mature plants can grow to be 12 feet tall.
This thin cactus was the first one I ever seen at Moorten Botanical Garden. Here, year after year, I noticed the large group near the pond with flowers and fruit. The few ribs that each had a staccato series of grey extrusions became something I also came to enjoy. They are safer and simpler to maneuver around because of their short spines. They also make one of the best cactus for small spaces or poolside.
One day, when we were trimming the clump of fence posts, Clark Moorten warned, “They’re brittle.” These long cuttings must be supported throughout their whole length to prevent breaking in two like a cucumber.
Moorten gathered a piece of carpet padding and began delicately wrapping each stem to protect the delicacy of all that lovely skin. Too frequently, a handling error can ruin a lovely specimen for life, and for this species, it matters greatly without a covering of spines to guard its delicate areas.
Moorten had previously wrapped towering cacti with scraps of old carpet, but this time the padding was much softer. It avoided the abrasions that long-distance transport of the stiff carpet strands might cause. We were able to carry the stems we took while wrapped up like carpet mummies without making a single stab. It’s also a fantastic technique to remove substantial chunks of any tall columnar cacti that need to be replanted but are hazardous, cumbersome, and frequently highly valuable as well.
Pachycereus marginatus, sometimes known as the fence post cactus, may be found throughout much of northern Mexico along the Border States. It can reportedly grow up to 3 feet tall throughout the summer due to its capacity to adapt to the Gulf of Mexico’s summer monsoon season. However, the plants can be found in extremely dry regions where they are thinner and develop at a much slower rate. This implies that they enjoy the summertime water because it is what they need to survive here in the desert.
The white, sweet edible flesh of the fence post fruit is surrounded by crunchy, black seeds. Since the next day they are nothing more than a hollow shell of spines and crimson skin, they are adored by all birds that appear to be able to predict when they ripen in the heat.
For the best appearance, give this cactus a protected yard and regular summer water. Blowing debris in the open can leave skin with unsightly scars. They become brown and yellow in areas from too much western sun, which is also a result of irrigation water scald.
Fence post cactus growing along the coast should be avoided since they will transform once they enter this desert environment. If planted right away, voids between the formerly densely planted fence may start to form due to an adaptive shrinking. The outcomes will be far more successful if they are harvested from nearby mother plants. However, if you want to go big, you can get some fantastic container examples from nearby growers in the valley, who can probably help you compile a linear work of living art.
How quickly do Mexican fenceposts expand?
Cacti currently have me hooked! I recently came upon the lovely Mexican Fence Post Cactus while strolling through an outdoor market. I simply had to purchase a small baby plant in a container for my indoor collection from them.
The height of this plant can reach 20 feet (6 meters)! So I’ll probably have to give it to a friend to plant in a garden after a year or two, when it grows to approximately 1 or 2 feet (30 cm to 60 cm). I’ll wait to see how it performs as a higher backdrop for my more delicate cactus.
Named Lophocereus marginatus in Latin. Another name for it is Pachycereus marginatus. Organ Pipe and Organ Cactus are its most popular names. The fact that they make excellent exterior hedges or barriers is the source of the reference to the fence post.
With distinct ribs and white spines on the margins, this plant has a gorgeous dark green-gray columnar body. They sell pink-red bell-shaped flowers that blossom in the spring.
The plant grows naturally in dry, scorching desert locations of Mexico and the southern United States.
Growth Habits
The fence cactus can grow up to 2 feet tall in an enclosed setting but can reach a height of about 20 feet in its natural habitat.
The cactus has a columnar trunk, and its main stem has a diameter of around 3–4 inches. Its central spine is slightly yellow in color and measures 3 to 8 inches in diameter, and its ribs are similar in size, measuring about 5-7 inches.
The fluffy spikes and rib edges give the cactus a beautiful appearance.
Mexican Wall Tall columnar trunks that resemble the pipes of a pipe organ are produced by post cacti. It makes fences since it is tall and has spikes.
Furthermore, unlike other cactus kinds, its spines are not among the big and hazardous ones. You must take care to prevent being prodded, though.
Flowering and Fruiting Habits
In the spring and late summer, it blooms with pinkish-red tubular to bell-shaped flowers. These flowers protrude horizontally from the edges of its ribs.
You may watch the blossoms transform into fruits once they have bloomed. It makes yellowish-red, spiky fruits with black seeds inside of them.
Additionally, since these fruits are edible, birds frequently eat them. The fruits are not poisonous, but I do not advise feeding on them.
Potting and Repotting
It is more difficult to grow Mexican Fence Post, which resembles a wild cactus, in a confined location. Next, you run the risk of killing them if you don’t utilize the right size and type of pot.
The advantages of these pots include:
- enough drainage holes
- water oozes from the surface.
- Water evaporates, leaving the earth dry.
- enables effective soil aeration
- regulates the volatility of temperature.
You can also use cement and plastic pots as an alternative. Although these materials are reasonably long-lasting, they do not offer as many advantages as clay or terracotta ones.
The most crucial thing is that I strongly advise against using metal or glass pots for cacti. These pots’ inadequate aeration and drainage systems cause problems with root rot.
Additionally, the temperature of a metal pot is constantly affected by the outside environment. You might stress the cactus that are growing there as a result.
Problems due to Wrong Pot Size and Type
- Root rot results from wet soil due to poor drainage systems.
- Large pots require a lot of lime to dry the water. Long-lasting moisture encourages bacterial and fungal growth in the soil.
- A small pot does not offer enough room for the development of roots. Your plant will consequently have root-bound and stunted growth problems.
Tips for Selecting Correct Pot
- It is perfect for preserving a space of around 14 inches between the rim of the pot and the primary cactus trunk.
- Use a pot that is roughly the same size as the cactus or slightly larger. The Mexican Fence Post cactus does best in a pot that is 5 inches in diameter.
- Cactus have roots that are flimsy and vulnerable. Use a shallow container instead of a deep one since deep pots hold water at the bottom, causing roots to sit in soggy soil.
Repotting Mexican Fence Post Cactus
Has the size of your container become too small for your cactus? Then, your Mexican Fence Post cactus has to be repotted.
It displays signs including stunted development, browning and yellowing of the edges of the trunk or ribs, and drooping when its roots are tied.
Therefore, prepare to repot your cactus if you notice roots emerging from your drainage holes.
Tips to Repot Mexican Fence Post Cactus
- To safeguard your hands from their prickly thrones, put on some protective gloves.
- I suggest watering your cactus a day before repotting. It makes the root system stronger, reducing the stress caused by repotting.
- The top soil layer should now be broken up using a fork. The plant should be gently removed from the pot after the top quarter of the soil has been removed.
- A clean pot that is 10% bigger than the size of your plant should be at your disposal. A few pebbles layered on the base will prevent potting mix from draining out during watering.
- After that, moisten the Pot and fill it halfway with the potting mix. Put the cactus in the middle of the pot, and then add potting soil to the remaining space.
- Gently pack the potting mix into the container until it is full. Make sure to provide enough room for more fertilization, though.
- Completely water the plant once more, and level it in the same location as before.
Note: The cactus may shrink or somewhat change color to yellow and brown right away after being replanted. It is the yield under stress from repotting. You shouldn’t be concerned; your cactus will naturally recover.
Rare Pruning
So, you may leave your Mexican Fence Post cactus alone. However, if it has sickness, you might need to prune.
As an alternative, you might think about trimming them to keep the size and form you want.
Tips to Prune a Bunny Ear Cactus
- Put on heavy-duty protective gloves to prevent prickling in your hands.
- Always use sanitized pruning tools.
- If your cactus exhibits symptoms of rot or infection, prune it right away.
- If the roots are too lengthy, you could decide to trim them while repotting.
Toxicity of Mexican Fence Post
Mexican Wall Humans and animals are not poisoned by post cacti. the same as the cacti Bluetorch, Pincushion, and Bunny Ear. Instead, it has been observed that birds happily gorge on their fruits.
Despite this, you must keep the cactus out of the reach of your kids and animals. It is unsafe, and the minute surges could hurt your kids.
How long does it take a cactus to reach its full size?
A cactus normally grows in 6 to 12 months. After two to three years, its potential is at its peak. Its length increases by 1-3 centimeters during this time.
The main cause of this delayed growth is survival. If their demands are not supplied by their immediate surroundings, cacti are adapted to live. The life cycle of a cactus is influenced by the intense heat and arid climate.
Take a peek at the five stages of a cactus’ life cycle; you might find it interesting.
Cacti found on Mexican fence posts bloom?
This attractive cactus grows to a height of twenty feet or more and has towering, columnar trunks. A pipe organ-like formation of thick, cylindrical stem clusters is produced. The plant grows many arms during the course of its lifetime, and additional irrigation speeds up growth. It has ribs that are a dark green color and little spines. Its smooth stems include five to seven ribs and a yellowish central spine. The plant’s common name comes from the fact that it is frequently utilized to build a living fence, mostly beside roads, in many Mexican communities and towns. The cactus produces spectacular tubular pinkish-red flowers in the spring. It produces spiky, yellowish to red fruit with black seeds after the blooming cycle. Plant it against a tall wall, as a vertical accent, as a desert accent, or use cuttings of this plant to make a living fence. Additionally useful in arid or tropical environments, it requires little care. The Mexican fence post is widely planted and has become naturalized throughout Mexico. It is native to the states of Hidalgo, Queretaro, and Guanajuato.
How should a Mexican fencepost cactus be pruned?
This is a tale of two fresh starts—one for my second-oldest daughter, Rachele, and one for a new cactus.
Mexican Fence Post (Pachycereus marinatus), the cactus pictured above, has been contentedly flourishing in my front garden.
What may not be immediately clear is that I started this cactus 11 years ago from a 2-foot piece (referred to as a “cutting”) that a client gave me from their big Mexican Fence Post cactus.
Compare the image above with the first one by paying close attention to it. Do you see where we chopped the cactus in half?
Our neighbors wanted a cactus like ours because they had recently redone the landscaping in their front yard. They were aware that they would need to begin with a much smaller one, of course, but they had no idea how much it would cost to purchase one at the nursery.
We decided to give them a piece (cutting) off of our Mexican fence post because our cactus had been flourishing so well. So, my daughter, husband, and I gathered to cut a piece of our cactus.
My spouse took a pruning saw and began slicing off the bottom of a good-sized piece of cactus while I held onto it.
To grasp onto cacti with short thorns, it’s helpful to use many layers of newspaper and gloves. You can use carpet remnants for cacti with larger thorns. Be ready since a piece of sliced cactus will weigh considerably more than you anticipate.
My husband and daughter used our wheelbarrow to transport the cactus trimming to our neighbor’s home.
In order to prevent the cut site from rotting when the cacti are replanted, we next left the cutting in a dry, shaded location for two weeks.
My daughter Rachele left for basic training in the Navy exactly 3 days after helping us with the cactus cutting. For us, it was a difficult goodbye, but for her, it was a fresh start.
The fresh cactus was placed in its new location with a wooden post for support after two weeks had passed.
The cut end was not watered for the first month following planting to ensure that it had callused over completely.
The cactus was watered thoroughly once a month until November following planting.
*Every time I glanced at the newly planted cactus, I thought about my daughter and how she was adjusting to life in the Navy.
The new cutting is thriving so well a year later that two additional parts have even sprouted.
While I may not be as close to my daughter as these two cacti are, she is growing and succeeding in her new job with the Navy, much like the new cactus. We’re extremely pleased with her!