€15,90

🌱 Morphology
 A mutant...Crested form of Austrocylindropuntia vestita, recognizable by its fasciated growth: the normal cylindrical stems transform into flattened, wavy, and sinuous structures that form authentic crests. The green epidermis is partially hidden by numerous areoles covered with fine, intertwined white hairs, which give it its characteristic woolly appearance. In the normal form, stems can reach about 50–60 cm in length and 3 cm in diameter, while the crested form develops a much more compact and irregular silhouette. Rudimentary leaves may appear on normal shoots.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Native to Bolivia and northwestern Argentina, where it grows in dry mountain environments, between approximately 1,500 and 3,200 m altitude, on rocky terrain and well-drained soils. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Opuntioideae subfamily, and Tephrocacteae tribe. The cristata form is a cultivated growth anomaly and not a distinct wild population.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to approximately −4 ºC in dry, well-acclimated specimens. The crested form is more sensitive to excess moisture and prolonged cold spells, so it is advisable to keep it completely dry and protected from rain in winter.

☀️ Lighting
It requires plenty of light to maintain a compact and well-defined crest. A very bright exposure is recommended, with progressive direct sun and excellent ventilation. As a guideline during active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.

💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter rest. During winter, it is kept practically dry. In spring, as temperatures and day length increase, watering is resumed gradually. During active growth, water abundantly but spaced out, allowing the substrate to dry completely before the next application. In very hot summers, it may slow its growth, so ventilation should be prioritized and excess moisture avoided.

🌸 Flowering
The strictly crested form may flower with difficulty or not at all. Normal stems that eventually revert from the crest can produce the species' characteristic flowers, which are intense red to magenta and about 3.5 cm long.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae, is recommended, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 Gourmet xerophyte in a 14x14 cm pot.

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.

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