Frailea pygmaea var. gloriosa | Crystal-spined Frailea
€37,10
🌱 Morphology
Dwarfish...Small solitary or slightly caespitose cactus, with a globose to depressed body, partially sunken into the substrate, rarely exceeding 3–4 cm in diameter. It features low, rounded ribs, with very closely spaced brown areoles. This selection, historically known as Frailea pygmaea var. gloriosa, stands out for its long, thin, and translucent spines, with a glassy appearance and crystalline white color, which contrast with the dark areoles. During the dry season, it can partially retract into the ground.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
The species is distributed throughout southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. It grows in crevices of rocky outcrops, among gravel and small stones, and in grasslands with very thin soils, often in environments where other plants struggle to compete. The historical name ‘Gloriosa’ is especially associated with populations from Rocha and Maldonado, Uruguay. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Cactoideae subfamily, and Fraileeae tribe.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −4 ºC when kept dry and properly acclimated. Due to its small size and habit of retracting into the substrate, it is especially important to avoid prolonged cold humidity.
☀️ Lighting
It requires intense lighting, although it may benefit from slight protection against the strongest summer sun. As a general guideline during active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During active growth, it is recommended to water thoroughly and let the substrate dry completely before the next watering. With low temperatures, it must remain dry. Under drought conditions, it can retract and partially sink into the substrate, significantly reducing its volume.
🌸 Flowering
It produces yellow flowers, relatively large in proportion to its tiny body, which appear at the apical zone. Like other Frailea, it can also produce cleistogamous flowers capable of forming seeds without fully opening.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a 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 with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
- Shipped today? Order within:
- Hassle-free returns
- Free Shipping on orders over €79.99
Expert advice with every purchase
Our team provides you with personalized advice on caring for your plants and growing media.
-
Secure and protected payment guaranteed.
