🌱 Morphology
Small, globose, and depressed cactus, dark green in color, generally solitary although it may produce basal offsets with age and form small colonies. It reaches approximately 8–12 cm in diameter and has 8–12 well-defined, slightly rounded ribs. The areoles, spaced regularly along the ribs, are covered in white wool and produce 3–7 very short radial spines and, occasionally, one central spine; the spines can be so reduced that the body appears practically unarmed.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Native to Bolivia, especially the departments of Santa Cruz, Tarija, and Chuquisaca, with references also for Paraguay. It is found at approximately 600 to 1800 m of altitude, in grasslands, scrublands, and open forests in seasonally dry regions. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.

❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 7b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −14 ºC when kept completely dry and well acclimated. Cold hardiness depends especially on the roots and body remaining dry during periods of low temperatures.

☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it requires high light levels, with a target of approximately 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR. It tolerates direct sun with progressive acclimatization, although under conditions of extreme irradiance, it may appreciate some protection during the central hours of summer.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. Active growth is concentrated mainly from spring to late summer. During this period, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In autumn, water supply is reduced progressively, and it is kept practically dry during winter.

🌸 Flowering
It produces large white flowers, occasionally with a slight pinkish hue, very fragrant and disproportionate in appearance relative to the plant's small body. The floral tube can reach 15–22 cm in length and the flowers open at dusk, remaining in full bloom for approximately one day. In Madrid, it can bloom repeatedly between May and August.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with high assimilable calcium content and low nitrogen levels is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae, 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 technical square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

S -> 9cm x 9cm

M-> 14cm x 14 cm

L->16cm x 16 cm

* 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.