Melocactus bahiensis | Bahian Turk's cap cactus
€53,00
Melocactus bahiensis (Britton & Rose) Luetzelb.
🌱 Morphology
Solitary cactus, with a globose, hemispherical, or slightly pyramidal body, dark green, which can reach about 10–21 cm in height and 11–21 cm in diameter. It presents 8–14 angular ribs and spaced areoles. In young specimens, the spines may be somewhat curved or hooked; it develops 1–4 straight central spines, up to 5 cm long, and 7–12 radial ones, some up to 6 cm. Upon reaching maturity, it forms a relatively small apical cephalium, up to about 5 cm in height and 6.5–8.5 cm in diameter, with visible wool and bristles.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to eastern Brazil, mainly in Bahia, Minas Gerais, and Pernambuco, where it grows in warm, seasonally dry environments, associated with the Caatinga and exposed rock formations, including crystalline outcrops and quartz gravels. It is found at altitudes of approximately 300 to 1,300 m. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Cactoideae subfamily, Cereeae tribe.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 10a
It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −1 ºC in dry conditions and when perfectly acclimatized, although for cultivation it is preferable to avoid prolonged exposure below 5 ºC. Cold combined with humidity is especially dangerous.
☀️ Lighting
It requires very intense lighting to maintain compact growth and encourage proper formation of the cephalium. Direct sun is recommended, with progressive acclimatization for specimens grown under protection. As a general target during active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.
💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter rest. Although it originates from warm regions, it responds well to a marked reduction in irrigation during the cooler months. During active growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. During dormancy, it should be kept practically dry, especially if temperatures are low. It is essential to avoid waterlogging and cold humidity.
🌸 Flowering
The flowers appear directly on the cephalium and are relatively small, deep pink to magenta in color, about 2–2.3 cm long and up to 1.25 cm in diameter. The fruits are fleshy, red to magenta, and protrude from the cephalium, forming small, highly decorative structures.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with high content of assimilable calcium and low levels of nitrogen 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, with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
25 cm bowl
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