€10,60

🌱 Morphology
Solitary cactus with a hemispherical to globose body that can elongate with age, reaching approximately 8–15 cm in diameter. It has a dark green or matte green epidermis, which may acquire purple tones, and is densely covered by spines. It develops 12–15 ribs up to approximately 1 cm high, divided into tubercles provided with a characteristic keel. The areoles, covered by a grayish felt, are relatively close to each other. It presents 12–24 radial spines, straight or strongly recurved, light brown, dark brown, or blackish in color, about 3–20 mm long. The central spines, generally 1–4, are more robust and can reach 3–4 cm. The root is fibrous and sometimes somewhat tuberous.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Endemic to northern Chile, in the Antofagasta Region, with populations from the surroundings of Sierra Esmeralda and Taltal to Paposo. It grows from practically sea level up to about 700 m altitude, in environments of the Atacama coastal desert, both in rock crevices and stony slopes as well as in ravines and sandy terrain near the area of influence of the camanchaca (coastal fog). It is a very variable species, especially in the coloration of the spines and flowers. It belongs to the Cactaceae family. Neoporteria taltalensis, Pyrrhocactus taltalensis and Neochilenia taltalensis are historical synonyms. According to Joël Lodé's taxonomy, the correct name is Guerreroa taltalensis.

❄️ 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 and dense spination, as well as intensifying the dark or violet tones that the epidermis may present. In very hot summers, it may appreciate slight protection during the hours of maximum radiation.

💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter rest. This is a species adapted to the Atacama coastal desert and the lomas environments influenced by the camanchaca. Its activity is favored by moderate temperatures and periods with greater availability of environmental humidity. 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
Produces flowers of approximately 3 × 3 cm, highly variable in coloration, from purple-pink, pink, and carmine to yellowish or cream tones. The flowers appear in the apical area and feature floral areoles provided with white woolly hairs and, towards the apex, tortuous brown bristles. In its natural habitat, it can flower at different times depending on local conditions. In Spain, it can be expected mainly between April and July, although the date may vary depending on temperature, lighting, and cultivation management.

🌿 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 professional square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

9x9 cm gourmet black pot

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