Astrophytum myriostigma 'Quadricostatum' | 4-ribbed Bishop's Cap cactus
€15,90
🌱 Morphology
A horticultural selection of Astrophytum myriostigma characterized by having four ribs, instead of the species' usual five, and an epidermis covered with characteristic white trichomes. The body is globose and flattened in young specimens, potentially becoming more cylindrical with age. The four ribs are broad, thick, rounded, and wavy, with an irregular relief that accentuates its sculptural appearance. The areoles are woolly, and it lacks spines. The epidermis can present bright green, bluish-green, or purplish-green tones and may acquire reddish hues during winter dormancy.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
This is a cultivated selection of Astrophytum myriostigma. The species is native to the arid and semi-arid regions of central and northeastern Mexico, where it grows on rocky, calcareous terrain amidst xerophytic scrubland. Some four-ribbed plants without trichomes have also been observed in natural populations, although a large portion of commercially available clones comes from horticultural selection. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −7 ºC if kept completely dry and properly acclimatized. During winter, it is recommended to keep it dormant with a dry substrate.
☀️ Lighting
It requires very intense lighting during active growth and tolerates several hours of direct sun once acclimatized. An approximate goal of 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR encourages compact growth and allows the smooth epidermis and the relief of the four ribs to be fully appreciated.
💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter dormancy. Its growth is concentrated mainly from spring to early autumn. During the active period, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering. In winter, it should be kept practically dry, especially at low temperatures. Rapid drainage is essential to prevent moisture accumulation around the roots.
🌸 Flowering
It produces large, bright yellow flowers, similar to those of Astrophytum myriostigma, which appear in the areoles near the apex during the warm season. In Madrid, flowering occurs mainly between May and July.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, is recommended, applied once a month during watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technical square pot with a substrate activated by mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 Gourmet xerophyte in a 7x7 cm pot.
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The plant's measurements are specified in the photo description, but these may also vary slightly because, after all, it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.
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