€10,60

Gymnocalycium obductum Piltz 

🌱 Morphology
 A very slow-growing Gymnocalycium, solitary and extraordinarily flattened, with a brownish-gray, greenish-gray, or dull reddish body. It can reach about 10–12 cm in diameter with age, although in its habitat, it usually remains partially buried in the sandy substrate. It features 13–15 very flat ribs, with slightly sunken areoles provided with a fine whitish tomentum. Each areole develops 3–5 radial spines, thin, flexible, brown at the base, and pressed against the body, about 2–6 mm long. It has a napiform root that allows it to remain semi-buried and protected from aridity.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
It inhabits Córdoba, Argentina, east of the Salinas Grandes, approximately between 300 and 650 m, on the edge of the halophytic zones surrounding the salt flats and the Chaco and dry forest environments. It grows on sand and clay, often hidden within the substrate and protected by shrubs.  It belongs to the Cactaceae family, subfamily Cactoideae, tribe Cacteae. 

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −8 ºC when dry and with well-acclimated specimens. Its origin in open areas of Córdoba and its completely dry dormancy allow it to withstand moderate frosts; in pots, cold humidity should be especially avoided.

☀️ Lighting
It requires plenty of light, but in cultivation, it appreciates a slightly filtered exposure during periods of intense heat. In its habitat, it remains partially protected by shrubs and the substrate itself. During active growth, an approximate DLI PAR of 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended. Excess sun and heat can cause a reddish coloration without necessarily implying severe stress.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. It is kept completely dry during the cold months. From spring onwards, watering is resumed once the substrate is completely dry, increasing during the growth period and progressively reducing it at the end of summer. Drainage must be excellent, and excessively calcareous substrates should be avoided.

🌸 Flowering
It flowers upon reaching maturity, but no sufficiently documented minimum age has been found to establish it with rigor. The flowers emerge near the apex and are grayish-white to pinkish-white, with pink nuances, approximately 3–5 cm long and 3.5–4 cm in diameter. In cultivation, flowering is normally concentrated between late spring and early summer.

It is reflowering with several defined pulses within the same season. Therefore, it is considered seasonally flowering, potentially lasting or repeating during the summer depending on cultivation conditions, but without stating a specific number of flushes.

🌿 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 the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

9x9 cm pot

• Hassle-free returns

• Free Shipping on orders over €79.99

• Secure and protected payment guaranteed.