€26,50

🌱 Morphology
A relatively fast-growing cactus for the genus, usually solitary, with a globose-flattened body that is slightly depressed at the apex. The epidermis can present grayish-green, olive green, dark brown, reddish, or purplish tones. It reaches up to about 9 cm in height and 14 cm in diameter. It develops 13–19 broad ribs, divided into angular tubercles with small chins below the areoles. Each areole generally produces 7–9 radial spines curved backwards, initially brownish-pink and later gray, up to 1.5 cm long, in addition to a central spine that may appear with age. There is notable variability in the shape and length of the spines.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is native to northwestern Argentina, mainly from Córdoba and La Rioja, although there are historical and field records in Catamarca as well. It grows from relatively low zones to mountainous areas, approximately between 50 and 1,900 m, on steep slopes and stony terrain, among xerophilic grasses and shrubs. The species presents numerous historical synonyms, including Gymnocalycium mazanense, G. nidulans, and G. weissianum.
Family Cactaceae · Subfamily Cactoideae · Tribe Cereeae 

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8a
It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −12 ºC for brief periods and with the substrate completely dry. Cultivation trials and experiences place the species among the Gymnocalycium with high cold resistance, provided there is no moisture in the roots.

☀️ Lighting
It needs plenty of light to maintain compact growth and encourage the formation of spines and flower buds. Very intense light, with soft direct sun or bright semi-shade is recommended, especially during the hours of greatest summer insolation. As a cultivation reference, a PAR radiation of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (DLI) is recommended.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. During active growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. In autumn, watering should be progressively reduced until it is kept dry throughout the winter. It is a primarily summer-growing species and waterlogging should be avoided.

🌸 Flowering
It produces very large flowers in relation to its body, up to 7 cm in length and about 6 cm in diameter, born near the apex. They are whitish to reddish-pink, occasionally with brownish tints, and have a relatively short floral tube. Flowering is concentrated during the warm season. It is a species considered to be relatively easy to flower, but no sufficiently reliable data has been found on the exact age of the first flowering from seed, so no figure is indicated.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas 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® Floración.

🪴 Pot

Black ELITE pot 14x10x12

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

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly, because, it is a living being! Each of the plants from Desert CITY has unique characteristics.

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