€10,60

Gymnocalycium horridispinum G.Frank ex H.Till 

🌱 Morphology
  Solitary, relatively slow-growing cactus that can transition from globular to markedly cylindrical with age. The body, which is dark green, grayish-green, or olive, can reach about 15–40 cm in height and 8–18 cm in diameter. It features 10–15 deep, broad, and angular ribs, with characteristic conical chins below the areoles. The spines are its most spectacular feature: 9–12 radials, robust, spreading, and 2–3 cm or more long, usually accompanied by 1–4 centrals, which are thicker and 3–5 cm long. When young, they are dark brown, and with age, they acquire an intense metallic gray tone with brownish tips.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to the province of Córdoba, Argentina, especially in the surroundings of Salsacate and other nearby locations, at approximately 700 to 1200 m. It lives in dry, stony environments in the Sierras de Córdoba, generally partially protected among vegetation and rocks. It is a very localized taxon and is considered vulnerable in some field assessments.

Family Cactaceae · Subfamily Cactoideae · Tribe Cereeae 

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9a
Tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −5 ºC when kept completely dry. Due to its Cordoban origin and its sensitivity to cold humidity, it is recommended to take extra care to protect it from prolonged frosts.

☀️ Lighting
It needs plenty of light to develop its extraordinary spiny armor. Direct sun or very intense light is recommended, with some protection from the more aggressive summer sun in Madrid. As a reference, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ promotes compact growth and characteristic spination.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. Its growth is concentrated mainly during spring and summer. During the active period, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In autumn, water intake is progressively reduced until it is kept completely dry during the winter.

🌸 Flowering
It produces exceptionally large flowers for the genus, about 6–7 cm, broadly bell-shaped or infundibuliform, usually deep pink to violet-pink, although white flowers with a violet-pink edge may appear. The stamens are white and the anthers yellow. They develop around the apex and can visually exceed the diameter of the cactus itself. In cultivation, it can begin to bloom at approximately 4–5 years from seed.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended once a month along with watering. Assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgidity, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.

🪴 Pot
9x9 cm gourmet black pot

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

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