Gymnocalycium saglionis Large specimens | The Giant of the Gymnos
€63,60
Gymnocalycium saglionis (Cels) Britton & Rose
🌱 Morphology
It is one of the largest Gymnocalyciums, slow-growing and generally solitary. The body is globose, depressed, or in very old specimens, shortly cylindrical, dull green to bluish-green in color, usually reaching 30–40 cm in diameter, although there are exceptional specimens over 50 cm. It features numerous low, wide ribs divided into large polygonal tubercles. The areoles develop 8–15 radial spines and 1–6 central ones, robust, arched, and yellowish, reddish, brown, or black in color, turning gray with age.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is endemic to northwestern Argentina, with a presence in Jujuy, Salta, Tucumán, Catamarca, La Rioja, and San Juan. It inhabits rocky areas of the Monte and Chaco forests, usually between 500 and 2,600 m in altitude, frequently protected among shrubs and other larger plants.
Family Cactaceae · Subfamily Cactoideae · Tribe Cereeae ·
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8a
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −12 ºC for short periods and with the substrate completely dry. In cultivation, extreme caution is advised regarding winter humidity, although its high-altitude distribution explains a notable resistance to dry cold.
☀️ Lighting
It requires plenty of light and can be grown in full sun, although in its habitat, it usually grows partially protected by vegetation. In Madrid, soft direct sun or bright semi-shade during the central hours of summer is recommended, especially for young specimens. A PAR radiation of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ (DLI) is recommended.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During active growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. In autumn, watering is progressively reduced until it is kept dry during the winter. The cold and dry period also helps induce flowering.
🌸 Flowering
The flowers appear forming a crown around the apex, although the numerous spines can hinder their opening. They are bell-shaped or broadly funnel-shaped, white to white-pinkish, frequently with reddish tones in the throat, and measure approximately 3–4 cm. Flowering occurs mainly between March and May, although it can be prolonged depending on the climate. It can begin to bloom relatively young, around 2–3 years under favorable conditions. The flowers remain open for several days and several flowers may follow one another during the season. It is a self-incompatible species, so it needs pollen from another genetically different specimen to produce seeds.
🌿 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.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 Gourmet xerophyte in a 30 cm pot.
* Since this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The plant dimensions are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because it is a living being! Each of the Desert CITY plants has unique characteristics.
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