Sakura Kirin, also known as the "alternative" cactus, is a unique and versatile plant with a lush, vine-like appearance. Its stems are soft, green, and blue, making it ideal for potted plants, hedges, and creative garden designs. In southern China, it's often used to create beautiful green walls and courtyard landscapes, where it thrives and delivers excellent results. Due to its compatibility with crabgrass and small cacti, it is frequently used as a rootstock for grafting epiphytic and small cactus species, resulting in eye-catching ornamental plants.
Native to Colombia, Sakura Kirin belongs to the Cactaceae family and is an evergreen semi-vine. It resembles broad-leaved plants, with a shrub-like or vine-like structure. The plant can grow up to 6–7 meters tall, with some specimens reaching 15 meters. Its thick, smooth stems have distinct nodes and are fleshy but tend to lignify, maintaining their shape. At each node, there are long, dark-brown thorns. The leaves are fleshy, waxy, and short-stemmed, measuring about 10–12 cm in length and 5 cm in width, with a bright green color.
The plant produces terminal racemes of purplish-red, radially symmetrical flowers that measure 5–6 cm in diameter. Flowering typically occurs from May to October, though under favorable conditions, blooms can be seen year-round. A similar species, the wood unicorn (also called leaf cactus), is found in Brazil. While visually similar, the wood unicorn has yellow flowers with a pleasant fragrance.
For propagation, cuttings are the most common method, best done between April and September, with May to June being the optimal time. Prune healthy branches from 1- to 2-year-old plants, cutting 10 cm sections with leaves. After drying in a cool, dry place, insert the cuttings at an angle into pure river sand, about 3–5 cm deep. With proper shading and moisture, roots develop within 15 days, and the plants can be transplanted after about a month.
Sakura Kirin is highly adaptable, thriving in warm, humid environments and tolerating drought and low light. It doesn’t require rich soil and can flourish in ordinary garden soil. In southern China, it grows well in open fields, while in northern regions, it’s better suited for pots. For potted plants, use well-draining, sandy soil with high organic content. Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. During summer, avoid overwatering, especially after rain, to prevent root rot.
During the growing season, fertilize every 10–15 days with fully decomposed organic liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer to promote healthy growth and vibrant foliage. With proper care and suitable temperatures, flowering can last all year. To maintain a full, attractive shape, prune the plant to 10–15 cm in height, encouraging lateral branching. Bonsai techniques can also be applied to enhance its ornamental value.
In winter, keep the plant above 10°C, reduce watering, and stop fertilizing. When temperatures drop below 6°C, the plant may shed leaves and enter dormancy, but the lignified older stems will regrow new shoots in spring. Repot every 2–3 years to ensure continued vigorous growth. With proper care, Sakura Kirin can become a stunning addition to any garden or indoor space.
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