€10,60

🌱 Morphology
  Napiform and red... A small, solitary cactus capable of forming clusters with age, with a globose to slightly elongated body, light green, which can reach approximately 4–6 cm in diameter. It presents about 15 low, slightly oblique or spiraled ribs, with transverse grooves over the areoles. These are relatively separated and produce between 3 and 7 thin, flexible, and unequal spines, initially brown and later gray, 0.5–5 cm long. Some may curve slightly at the tip. It develops a napiform root that allows it to survive dry periods by partially retracting its body into the ground.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Its distribution range extends throughout the Andes of Bolivia and Peru, with the type locality in the vicinity of La Paz, around 3,600 m, and Peruvian populations included in the broad concept used by Lodé. It inhabits puna environments and mountain xerophilous scrubland, on stony terrain subject to a marked dry season. It belongs to the family Cactaceae, subfamily Cactoideae, tribe Trichocereeae. In Joël Lodé's taxonomy, Lobivia backebergii is the name used for this complex; other classifications use Echinopsis backebergii.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −9 ºC in dry, acclimated specimens protected from humidity. Its high-altitude origin favors good cold resistance during dormancy.

☀️ Lighting
It requires very intense lighting and several hours of direct sun to maintain compact growth and properly develop its spination. As a general guideline during active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.

💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter rest. During spring and summer, it is recommended to water deeply once the substrate has dried out completely. In autumn, watering is progressively reduced until the plant is kept completely dry during the winter.

🌸 Flowering
The flowers appear laterally, near the top of the stem, and are large in relation to the small body. They present carmine, deep red, or purplish-red tones, often with a white throat that creates a sharp contrast. The floral tube is relatively thin and the flowers open during the day.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae, 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 and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

• Hassle-free returns

• Free Shipping on orders over €79.99

• Secure and protected payment guaranteed.