Acanthocalycium

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Mountain slopes of Argentina.

Description. The genus Acanthocalycium, consisting of three species, has been separated from the genus Echinopsis. This is primarily due to the fact that the flowers emerge from the tops of the stems. The flowers themselves, however, resemble Echinopsis. 

The stem is spherical, becomes slightly cylindrical over time, grows to a height of 12 cm or more, and a diameter of 6 to 10 cm. The color varies from green to dark blue and grey, powdery grey. Ribs 9 - 15. Areoles located at the top of the tubercles. It has from 5 to 10 radial spines and from 1 to 4 central spines, they are all more or less the same length (0.5 - 3 cm), but there are varieties that are very variable in terms of color, length and number of spines, for example they can have black or light brown spines that change color to gray or whitish-yellow with age. The flowers are bell-shaped, up to 5 cm long, appear from the lateral areoles, the perianths are gray or lemon yellow (sometimes white, pink, orange or red), the buds are heavily pubescent. The fruits are scaly green balls about 1 cm in diameter, containing brown or black seeds.

Height. About 50 cm, diameter 45 cm.

Acanthocalycium - care

Temperature conditions

The ideal temperature for acanthoccalicium is 24 - 26 ° C, the minimum is 6 - 7 ° C. It is completely frost-resistant if you keep the soil dry (up to -12 ° C), a winter dormant period is required with a decrease in temperature to 10 ° C.

Lighting

Acanthocalycium is very light-loving. Direct sunlight helps keep the plant compact and promotes abundant flowering. 

Care

This species is easy to grow at home and is generally recommended for beginners.

Substrate

Acanthocalycium requires good drainage and very porous soil with a pH of 6.1 to 7.8. A substrate of a mixture of vermiculite, sand and compost suits it very well.

Feeding

During the growing season, fertilizers with a high potassium content are applied approximately once every 2 weeks.

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

Spraying is only possible on very hot summer evenings.

Soil moisture

Fairly scanty watering, wait until the soil dries before the next watering, keep it almost dry in winter.

Transplant

About once every two years, in the spring. 

Reproduction

Seeds in warm conditions - not lower than 20° With sowing in wet sand in spring.

Pests and diseases

Among the harmful insects, the cactus can be attacked by mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, and thrips.

Note

Very bright lighting is necessary for abundant flowering; if this condition is met, the plant can produce up to 10 flowers at the same time.