Ariocarpus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Mexico.

Description. Ariocarpus are solitary spherical plants with a diameter of 10 to 20 cm and a height of 4 to 10 cm. The stem is grey-green, slightly raised above ground level, almost spherical, sometimes flattened. Tubercles up to 5 cm long, diverging to the sides, usually rounded at the top, flattened or slightly convex, dark green, sometimes with a whitish bloom. There are practically no thorns. The shades of the flowers vary from light cream to intense purple, they are quite large - from 3 to 5 cm in diameter, tubular, up to 4 cm long. The fruits are whitish or greenish, 5 - 15 mm. long and 2 - 6 mm. in diameter. The genus is very variable in appearance.

Height.  10 - 27 cm. 

Care

Reproduction - growing from seeds 

Ariocarpus can be grown from seeds; for this, the seeds are sown in a moist mixture of peat and sand. Seedlings are kept under a glass or transparent plastic cover in a warm place. Often propagated by grafting onto other unpretentious cacti at a young age.

Temperature conditions

Grow as a houseplant in a warm place, with a dormant period in winter at 5 - 10° C. 

How to water

In summer, water only occasionally, but until the earthen ball is completely saturated, and then again let the substrate dry properly. In winter, dry mode is recommended. Ariocarpus has a tuberous root system and is very sensitive to moisture. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. 

Lighting

Loves very bright lighting, sunny places. 

How to care

This species grows slowly, but is quite easy to grow, just provide it with well-drained inorganic soil, sufficient water during the growing season, and allow the substrate to dry out before the next watering. 

Soil

High in coarse sand or perlite, well-drained as the plant is susceptible to root rot, with minimal organic matter. 

Feeding

Feed with mineral fertilizers quite rarely - about once a month. Before use, dilute the fertilizer to half the recommended dose. The use of fertilizers during the growing season can stimulate the growth of ariocarpus. 

Purpose

A very attractive cactus, even when not in bloom.

Ariocarpus flowering time

Only after many years - from 8 to 12, most often in the fall. 

Air humidity

It tolerates dry air in rooms with central heating very well and does not require spraying.

Transplantation

Since ariocarpus grow slowly, they can live in the same pot for many years; after repotting, avoid watering for a week.

Pests and diseases

The main threat is root rot. Mature plants are more likely to succumb to disease, their root system weakens, and sometimes they suddenly die. 

Among harmful insects, succulents can be attacked by spider mites and scale insects.

Note

The plant contains poisonous alkaloids, they protect the plant from consumption by herbivores. Ariocarpus seedlings are often grafted onto perescia in order to increase their growth rate; more mature plants can be re-grafted onto echinopsis or prickly pear.

Varieties: 

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus

Miniature cacti with a spherical green stem. The stem has large, pointed, triangular tubercles. In the middle of the tubercles there are white or creamy pubescent stripes. The flowers are white or pink, large, funnel-shaped.