Triangle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus)

Triangle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus) is a columnar cactus that reaches a height of 2–7 m. The stems are dark green, have three to five angles, and are 3 inches diameter. Areoles are grey and separated by 2–3 cm. Central areoles have one to two spines up to 4 cm long. Radial areoles have 6 to 8 spines up to 1-inch in length. The flowers are up to 8 inches in diameter with a tube up to 8–15 cm inches in length. Outer tepals are greenish-white, inner tepals are pure white and pistils are creamy white. The shiny, red fruits are around 2 inches long.

Edible Uses:

Young stems of the Acanthocereus tetragonus can be eaten as a vegetable either cooked or raw, while the fruits are edible and sweet.

Scientific Classification:

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Echinocereeae
Genus: Acanthocereus

Scientific Name: Acanthocereus tetragonus
Common Names: Triangle Cactus, Barbed Wire Cactus, Sword Pear, Dildo Cactus, Night-Blooming Cereus, Spanish: Órgano-alado de pitaya.
Synonyms: Cactus tetragonus, Acanthocereus pentagonus, Acanthocereus pitajaya, Cactus pitajaya, Cereus pitajaya, Cactus pentagonus,
Cereus pentagonus, Cactus pentagonus, Cereus acutangulus, Acanthocereus acutangulus, Cereus princeps, Acanthocereus princeps, Cereus
variabilis, Acanthocereus floridanus, Acanthocereus colombianus, Cactus prismaticus, Cereus prismaticus, Cereus reptans.

How to care and grow Triangle Cactus (Acanthocereus tetragonus)?

Light:

Triangle Cactus grows well in a bright sunny location that is away from drafts or air conditioning.

Soil:

It prefers any rich, well-drained, good cactus potting soil.is ideal.

Temperature:

It prefers average temperatures between 50 degrees Fahrenheit – 75 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 degrees Celsius – 24 degrees Celsius are ideal but not below 40 degrees Fahrenheit / 5 degrees Celsius and avoid frost.

Water:

Water moderately, during the growing season. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry out before watering again. During the winter season,
do not water the plants but just keep them moist otherwise they will rot. Overwatering is the easiest way to damage a cactus.

Fertilizer:

Fertilize once a month, during the growing season (summer) with a weak liquid cactus fertilizer.

Propagation:

Triangle Cactus can be propagated by cuttings. Simply cut a branch and replant in moist, well-drained soil. It helps to allow the cut end dry out and harden before you replant it. This makes it easier for the new cactus to form roots.

Repotting:

Repotting should be done every other year, or when the plant has outgrown its pot. To re-pot cacti, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently expel the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you re-pot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.

Pests and Diseases:

It has no serious pest and diseases problems. Watch for infestations of mealybug, scale insects, and spider mite.