---
title: "Pop! Goes the Tephrocactus Segment"
modified: 2016-06-30
categories: cacti
excerpt: ""
gallery:
  - url: P1000517cl.jpg
    image_path: P1000517b2.jpg
    alt: ""
    title: ""
  - url: P1000517dl.jpg
    image_path: P1000517b.jpg
    alt: "An infrared view"
    title: "An infrared view"
---

{% include gallery caption="*Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus*" %}

---
title: "Pop! Goes the Tephrocactus Segment"
modified: 2016-06-30
categories: cacti
excerpt: "This &quot;paper spine&quot; cactus is fragile!"
gallery:
  - url: P1000517cl.jpg
    image_path: P1000517b2.jpg
    alt: "A new segment emerges"
    title: "A new segment emerges"
  - url: P1000517dl.jpg
    image_path: P1000517b.jpg
    alt: "An infrared view"
    title: "An infrared view"
---

*Tephrocactus* is an interesting genus. Related to *Opuntia*, *Tephrocactus* grows in similar segments that are loosely connected to one another. A thorough drenching can make the segments of *Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus* (the "paper-spine" cactus) pop apart. That's what happened to ours this summer, despite being careful with watering.

From what I've read, it's tough to grow this particular species large enough to flower in cultivation. On the plus side, you get plenty of segments to root—they root very easily—so you can fill a pot quickly or start multiple plants.

{% include gallery caption="*Tephrocactus articulatus var. papyracanthus*" %}

Add some text to Tephrocactus post
Add some text to Tephrocactus post
