Stenocereus eruca
Creeping Devil
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Creeping Devil (Stenocereus eruca) - Description
Interesting cactus known for growing horizontally instead of vertically. It's called the Creeping Devil because as it grows it "creeps" over other plants and blocks out their sunlight.
Creeping Devil (Stenocereus eruca) - Blooming
Blooms flowers in spring or summer that are usually nocturnal. Followed by spiny, fleshy fruits.
Creeping Devil (Stenocereus eruca) - Growth
Grows best in full sun, or full light, and prefers low humidity. In places where temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C), raise plants indoors in a warm greenhouse. A warm greenhouse has a minimum temperature of 55°F (13°C). During the day, temperatures should be set to 55-64°F (13-18°C) or above, and at night, the temperature should be at 55°F (13°C).In warmer regions, grow Stenocereus in a desert garden.
Creeping Devil (Stenocereus eruca) - Planting
Sow seeds in spring at 70ºF (21ºC). Can also propagate from stem cuttings in summer.
Creeping Devil (Stenocereus eruca) - Pest
Affected by scale insects and aphids during flowering.
Creeping Devil (Stenocereus eruca) - Interesting facts
The prototypical cactus looks like a tall cylinder with spines. A tall cylinder would have the least amount of surface area facing the sun when it is directly overhead. This growth pattern provides an advantage to the cactus so that it will absorb the least amount of light when it is hottest time of day. The Creeping Devil (Stenocereus eruca) has the same cylindrical growth, but this cylinder is laying on its side. A cylinder on its side will absorb a lot of sunlight when the sun is directly overhead. The Creeping Devil gets around this by having extraordinarily wide spines on the side of the stem that is facing the sun. The spines not only are wide to intercept sunlight, but they are also white to reflect more light away from the stem of the cactus. These unique spines prevent the Creeping Devil from overheating under the beating, hot sun.
Creeping Devil (Stenocereus eruca) - Soil and irrigation
Does best in gritty soil that is poor to moderately fertile, humus-rich and sharply draining. A mix of 3 parts standard cactus potting mix and 1 part leaf mold is fine for indoor plants. Water moderately from midspring to early fall. Best to keep completely dry at other times.
