[Hilary]

This is growing on a balcony in Sparta .
Unfortunately we missed the flower
From my books it looks like a cleistocactus.
Any ideas?

[Alisdair]

My guess - and it is only a guess, I'm afraid - would be Cleistocactus winteri. From your photo it does look as if this young plant's many stems are beginning to sprawl or even hang, which is typical for that species. Also, though C. winteri has pink flowers, the outer parts are red, which makes the buds look red, like your Sparta plant.

[Hilary]

Thanks.
It looks pretty much like all the photos on the Internet.
It did have a very long sprawling bit which my son cut off.
In fact I wonder if it wasn't a small one which I had bought him originally and was the
 crest" shape.
Golden rat tail, what a hideous name
Apparently it can be grafted onto Hylocereus undatus.
Might try that sometime
Once more thanks,
Hilary

[oron peri]

It is Cleistocactus winteri.
The undulate form is  'forma cristata'

[Hilary]

Oron,
Many thanks for the identification
Another cactus is to follow
Hilary

[John J]

This thread hasn't been posted on for 7 years but I believe the photos below of one of our plants that has flowered this morning are of Cleistocactus winteri f. cristata. We've had it for a few years but this is the first time it has flowered.