Radiant Blooms: Hildewintera hybrid 'Feder' A62

A breathtaking collector's rarity, prized for its cascading stems and vibrant, feather-like floral display.

1. Origin & History of Name: The genus name Hildewintera (now often taxonomically grouped under Cleistocactus) honors German cactus specialist Hildegard Winter. The cultivar name 'Feder' is the German word for "feather," referencing the delicate, airy appearance of the flowers or the soft texture of the spines. The alphanumeric suffix "A62" serves as a specific breeder’s designation to track this particular hybrid lineage within the broader Hildewintera breeding programs.
2. Morphology: This cactus features elongated, cylindrical stems with a light green epidermis covered in dense, bristly areoles. Unlike standard upright cacti, its growth habit is decumbent or pendulous, making it ideal for hanging baskets. The costae (ribs) are numerous and shallow, supporting fine, golden-yellow spines. Its most striking feature is the zygomorphic flower—a multi-layered, tubular bloom that emerges laterally from the stems. Outer petals are dark pink and inner are white or faint pink . Core is yellow with light yellow filaments.
3. Habitat & Origin: This plant is a man-made cultivar, not found in the wild. It is the result of selective hybridization, likely crossing Hildewintera colademononis (Monkey's Tail) with other Cleistocactus or Trichocereus species to enhance flower color and size. As a nursery-grown hybrid, it is a sustainable choice for collectors, ensuring no wild populations are disturbed.
4. Cultivation Profile:
   • Substrate: Use a strictly mineral-based mix (60% grit/pumice/perlite and 40% organic matter) to ensure rapid drainage, which is critical in India's humid regions.
   • Light: Requires bright, filtered sunlight. In the Indian subcontinent, provide 50% shade cloth during peak summer (April–June) to prevent epidermal scorching.
   • Water/Dormancy: Water deeply when the substrate is completely dry during the growing season. In the monsoon, protect from rain to avoid root rot. During the winter (December–February), keep the plant nearly dry to respect its semi-dormant phase.
5. Scientific/Historical Anecdote: The genus Hildewintera has long been a subject of botanical debate. While Friedrich Ritter named the genus in 1966, many modern botanists merged it into Cleistocactus. However, because these plants hybridize so easily with other genera (like Akermanisia or Echinopsis), they remain at the center of "intergeneric breeding," a practice that continues to produce some of the most spectacular floral displays in the succulent world.