Copiapoa cinerea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Copiapoa cinerea |
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| Scientific classification | |
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Copiapoa
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| Species: |
cinerea
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Copiapoa cinerea is a special type of cactus plant. It belongs to the Copiapoa group in the Cactaceae family. Its name, cinerea, comes from a Latin word meaning "ash." This is because the plant's skin often looks like it's covered in ash.
This cactus grows naturally in the Antofagasta region and along the coast of northern Chile. This area is very dry, like a desert. But it also gets a lot of thick fog. This fog comes from the cold ocean currents in the Pacific. The fog often appears in the early morning or late afternoon. It usually forms at heights between 500 and 850 meters (about 1,640 to 2,790 feet) above sea level.
The plant's skin is usually ash-grey or white. This color makes a cool contrast with its spines, which are typically black. When the plant is fully grown, its top often looks woolly.
Contents
What Does Copiapoa cinerea Look Like?
This cactus starts out round, like a ball. As it gets older, it grows taller, becoming more like a column. It can reach up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) tall and 20 centimeters (about 8 inches) wide. It has about 30 ribs running down its sides.
Only very old Copiapoa cinerea plants grow new stems from their base. These new stems are called offsets.
The light color of the cactus helps protect it from drying out in the hot sun. When people grow this cactus in gardens, its skin often looks more greenish.
Flowers of the Copiapoa cinerea
The flowers of this cactus are bright yellow. They grow at the very top of the plant. Each flower is about 2.5 centimeters (about 1 inch) across.
How to Grow Copiapoa cinerea
Copiapoa cinerea grows very slowly. It can also be tricky to keep alive because it can rot easily. One way to help it grow better is by "grafting." This means joining a piece of Copiapoa cinerea onto another type of cactus. This cactus rarely flowers when grown by people.
Best Conditions for Growing
First, this cactus needs soil that drains water very well. It likes a sunny spot, but it's important to protect it from too much strong sun in the summer.
In the summer, you should water it lightly and regularly. But always let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
In winter, keep the plant warm, at least 8 °C (about 46 °F). It's very important to keep it completely dry during the winter months.
Images for kids
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An old Copiapoa cinerea cactus
See also
In Spanish: Copiapoa cinerea para niños
