€31,80

Escobaria sneedii var. leei (Rose ex Boed.) D.R.Hunt

🌱 Morphology
Small, cespitose cactus that forms dense cushions of numerous heads, which can exceed 200 in adult specimens. Each stem is globose at first and later short-cylindrical, measuring barely 1–2 cm in diameter and up to 8 cm in height. The tubercles are small and feature a longitudinal groove in mature specimens. Each areole is covered by 30–90 white, extremely fine, bristle-like spines, pressed tightly against the stem; some areoles also have 1–few short central spines. It is precisely this pectinate and deflexed spination, along with its extraordinary ability to form mats, that distinguishes it within the E. sneedii complex.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to the Guadalupe Mountains in Eddy County, New Mexico (USA), with a very limited range. It lives primarily in limestone crevices and rocky slopes, between 1,200 and 1,800 m, within Chihuahuan Desert scrub. It belongs to the family Cactaceae, subfamily Cactoideae, and tribe Cacteae.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −9 ºC when kept dry and if the specimens are well acclimated. Its mountainous origin and natural distribution in the Guadalupe Mountains explain its remarkable cold hardiness.

☀️ Lighting
It requires plenty of light and direct sun, with progressive acclimation. During active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended. In very hot summers, it may benefit from some protection during midday, especially when potted.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. It is especially important to keep it dry during cold periods. In spring, watering should be resumed gradually; during active growth, it is recommended to water deeply and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In late summer and autumn, space out watering until it enters dormancy once more.

🌸 Flowering
It blooms approximately from 3–4 years of age. The flowers are small, up to 1.5 cm, generally brownish-pink, although they can be nearly white or pale yellow, with a darker central vein. In its habitat, it flowers mainly between mid-April and early May; flowers last 2–4 days and open toward midday. They are produced in a succession of blooms during the flowering period.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended. Assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgidity, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis.

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

📏 Gourmet xerophyte in a 9x9 cm pot.

* Since 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 it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.

• Hassle-free returns

• Free Shipping on orders over €79.99

• Secure and protected payment guaranteed.