Century-old Cactus

Century-old Cactus

The Hulan Cactus is a unique marvel in the Xigang Park scenic area. It was first planted in 1896 by a family surnamed Yang, who nurtured it for 31 years before it was moved into the Xigang greenhouse in 1927, where it has remained ever since. Under the care of eight generations of horticulturists, it has weathered 120 years of history. Currently, the cactus stands 8 meters tall, with a main trunk diameter of 20 centimeters and an overall circumference of nearly 4 meters. In 2010, the Hulan Cactus was recognized by the Guinness World Records (Shanghai) as the “Longest-living Artificially Cultivated Cactus in Asia.”

Cacti are tropical plants that thrive in desert environments, with Mexico being the most prolific producer.

The cactus blooms most vigorously during the months of May, June, and July. In 1958, on its sixtieth birthday, it produced flower buds for the first time, yielding twelve blossoms. By 1991, it bloomed nearly a thousand flowers, which later bore fruit. These fruits range in size from that of a tomato to a walnut and are known as “fairy fruit.”

This cactus has endured many hardships. Over its 120-year life, due to reasons such as the low height of the greenhouse, its top was trimmed three times, removing a total of 4.8 meters. In 1963, it was cut off at two meters above the ground, and the root was replanted in the original location, resulting in the current single base with two trunks.

In 1989, the county government allocated funds to expand and renovate the Cactus Pavilion. Especially in 1993, tens of thousands of yuan were invested in its reconstruction, improving its ecological environment and allowing it to grow freely.

This cactus can be seen as a large family spanning generations. Though it appears as a single cactus, it generates new branches every year and produces flowers and fruits annually—thus, it can be considered a multi-generational family.

In 1997, this centenarian faced yet another “life and death” test. That summer, it fell seriously ill and was eventually diagnosed with soft rot (bacterial) and stem rot (fungal). However, thanks to the efforts of the staff and the concern of senior leaders, professors from various regions were invited to Xigang Park to diagnose and treat the cactus. After months of dedicated care, it recovered and was reborn.

After falling ill in 1997, the lower 2.3 meters of the cactus relied on just one-quarter of its trunk to transport nutrients upward, resulting in a sparse canopy, dull leaves, and significantly fewer flowers and fruits. To help it recover better, we conducted a bold experiment under expert guidance: encouraging root growth at a height of 2.3 meters. After rigorous procedures and one month of effort, the experiment succeeded in September 2004. Now, it has developed healthy roots in mid-air. Although this year’s flowering season was late, the leaves are lush and green, the canopy is thriving, and the branches are full of flowers and fruits.

This cactus is a wonder of Asia and has attracted many foreign tourists and notable individuals. Tens of thousands of domestic and international visitors come to see it each year, offering high praise and admiration. The century-old cactus is the pride of the people of Hulan. Its resilient character and tenacious vitality are qualities worth learning from. To this day, the cactus continues to display its vibrant spirit to the world.

Source: Hulan District People's Government