€10,60

🌱 Morphology
Solitary cactus with a globose to cylindrical body, which can reach approximately 15–30 cm in length and 6–8 cm in diameter. With age, it may become partially recumbent on the ground. It features a glaucous green epidermis, which can take on more bluish, reddish, or purplish hues depending on exposure. It develops only 8–13 ribs, which are high and narrow-edged, with tubercles provided with a well-marked keel. The areoles have whitish felt and are relatively spaced. The spines are awl-shaped, initially black and later gray, curved upwards. It generally presents 1–4 central spines, which can reach about 4 cm, and 5–8 radial spines of up to about 3 cm. The root is more or less thickened.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to northern Chile, in the Antofagasta Region, with a distribution mainly coastal to the north and south of Paposo. It grows on rocky slopes and sandy substrates of the coastal cliff, within an extremely arid environment subject to the influence of the camanchaca. The coastal fog provides an important source of moisture in a territory where rainfall can be very scarce or even absent for years. It belongs to the Cactaceae family. According to Joël Lodé's taxonomy, the correct name is Guerreroa paucicostata; Eriosyce paucicostata, Horridocactus paucicostatus, Pyrrhocactus paucicostatus, Neoporteria paucicostata, and Neochilenia paucicostata are names used in previous taxonomic treatments.

❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures close to −4 ºC, provided the specimen is dry, acclimatized, and protected from persistent humidity. Cold accompanied by a damp substrate significantly increases the risk of rot.

☀️ Lighting
Very high lighting is recommended, with a target of 18–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR. Direct sun promotes compact growth, more developed spination, and the bluish or reddish hues that the epidermis may present. In very hot summers, it may appreciate light protection during hours of maximum radiation.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
It is a species adapted to the coastal Atacama Desert, where water availability comes mainly from the moisture of the camanchaca. Its growth occurs preferably during periods of moderate temperatures. During growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. With low temperatures, it should be kept practically dry, especially during winter.

🌸 Flowering
It produces apical campanulate to infundibuliform flowers, approximately 3–5 cm in length. They present reddish-white or pale pink hues, with the inner tepals lighter and the outer ones pink. The pericarpel and the floral tube are covered with small woolly areas and some dark bristles. The stamens are whitish and the style can be purple or reddish. In Spain, it can be expected mainly during the spring, although the date may vary according to cultivation conditions. The fruit is elongated, approximately 1.5–2 cm, and turns from green to reddish upon ripening.

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

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

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