€15,90

🌱 Morphology
Cristate form of a small Aylostera. Instead of developing a normal globose stem, the growth spreads laterally, forming an undulating, sinuous, and progressively wider crest that may resemble a small brain or a coral crown. The surface retains the areoles and dense spine ornamentation characteristic of the genus, but these are distributed along the undulations of the crest. Cristate forms are growth mutations, and each specimen develops a unique architecture.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
As this is a commercial specimen identified only as Aylostera sp., it is not possible to rigorously attribute a locality of origin or a specific distribution. The genus Aylostera comprises small, mainly Andean cacti from Bolivia and Argentina, many of which are adapted to high-altitude mountain environments with strong day-night temperature contrasts.
Family Cactaceae · Subfamily Cactoideae · Tribe Cereeae · Genus Aylostera 

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8a
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −10 ºC for short periods and with the substrate completely dry. As it is a form of unknown specific identity, it is recommended to avoid assuming a higher resistance than that characteristic of the hardiest Andean Aylostera.

☀️ Lighting
It requires plenty of light to maintain a compact and well-defined crest. Direct sun is recommended, with progressive acclimatization, and a PAR radiation of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (DLI). Insufficient lighting can lead to weak and elongated growth at the margins of the crest.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. During active growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering. In autumn, water intake is progressively reduced until it is kept dry during the winter. The cristate form must be grown with special drainage to avoid moisture accumulation in the internal areas of the crest.

🌸 Flowering
The flowers appear on the margins of the crest and may retain the relatively large size characteristic of many Aylostera in relation to the plant's small body. The color, size, and flowering time depend on the species of origin, which is undetermined in this specimen. Cultivated Aylostera typically concentrate their flowering in spring and can produce several flowers during the favorable season.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended once a month along with watering. Assimilable calcium favors the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgidity, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.

🪴 Pot
9x9 cm gourmet black pot

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

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