€7,95

Melocactus neryi K.Schum. 

🌱 Morphology
  Solitary cactus, with a depressed-globose body, dark bluish-green to yellowish-green, about 5.5–18 cm tall and 7–20 cm in diameter. It has 9–15 sharp ribs and sunken areoles in the notches. The spines, initially dark brown to yellowish-brown, acquire reddish tones with age and are partially covered by a whitish-gray layer. It generally develops a single ascending central spine, 1–2.5 cm long, accompanied by 6–10 curved radial spines up to about 2.9 cm long. Upon maturity, it forms a broad apical cephalium, up to 5 cm high and 4–9 cm in diameter, densely covered with wool and fine red to orange-red bristles. Melocactus guaricensis and M. schulzianus are historical synonyms.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is distributed from Venezuela and Colombia to northern Brazil and Suriname, with populations associated with the Llanos and transition zones toward the Amazon. It grows mainly in warm environments, on rocky outcrops and very well-draining substrates, at an altitude of approximately 100 to 500 m. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Cactoideae subfamily, Cereeae tribe.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 11a
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to 4 ºC, provided that the substrate remains completely dry. It is a warm-climate species and should be protected especially from low temperatures combined with humidity.

☀️ Lighting
It requires very intense lighting and several hours of direct sun, with progressive acclimatization. High radiation favors compact growth and the formation of a well-developed cephalium. As a general guide during active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. Although it comes from tropical regions, during the cooler months it is advisable to significantly reduce watering and keep the substrate dry if temperatures drop. During active growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and infrequently, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering. Moist cold must be especially avoided, as the roots are very sensitive to it.

🌸 Flowering
The flowers appear directly on the cephalium and barely protrude from it. They are pink to purple-pink or carmine, about 1.8–2.2 cm long and 0.8–1 cm in diameter. The fruits are pink to lilac-pink, 1–2 cm long, and may have a slightly flattened apex.

🌿 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

S -> 9cm x 9cm

M-> 14cm x 14 cm

L->16cm x 16 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen 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 Desert CITY plants has unique characteristics.

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