€15,90

🌱 Morphology
Geophytic cactus, generally solitary, although it can branch from the root and form several heads. The body is subglobose, about 3–8 cm in diameter in cultivation, while in its habitat it can remain almost completely hidden among rocks. The epidermis is dark grayish-green, and may acquire reddish-brown or nearly black hues due to sun exposure. It has up to 14 ribs transformed into tuberculate mamillae, up to 5 mm high and keeled. The areoles, sunken at the top of the mamillae, are covered with white wool that turns gray with age. Spines may be completely absent; when they appear, they are black or dark brown, slightly curved and somewhat flattened, with 0–1 central spine of 5–10 mm and 4–6 radial spines up to 11 mm. It develops a large tuberous root, without a neck, adapted for water storage.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It is endemic to Chile and has an extremely restricted distribution in the vicinity of Taltal, Antofagasta Region, where only two subpopulations are known: in the Las Breas ravine and south of Taltal. It grows at approximately 200 to 300 m altitude, on alluvial plains and dry ravines of the hyper-arid desert. Many plants grow among rocks, which can favor the condensation of the scarce humidity coming from the coast. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.

According to Joël Lodé's classification, the correct name is Guerreroa occulta (Kattermann) Lodé, a combination published in 2024. The name Eriosyce occulta corresponds to the previous treatment; it has also been historically related to Pyrrhocactus occultus.

❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9a–11b
Winter dormancy. It can be cultivated with cool and dry winters. Once well acclimated, it can withstand temperatures close to −4 °C, provided the substrate remains completely dry. In this species, more than occasional cold, the combination of low temperatures and prolonged humidity in the tuberous root must be especially avoided.

☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it needs very high lighting, approximately 18–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of PAR DLI, with several hours of direct sun. High radiation promotes compact growth and the dark tones the epidermis can develop. In extreme heat conditions, it can benefit from slight protection during the central hours, while always maintaining excellent ventilation.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
It is a slow-growing xerophyte, specialized in surviving in one of the driest environments in Chile. The large tuberous root allows it to store water and endure prolonged periods of drought. During active growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and let the substrate dry completely before watering again. During winter, it should be kept practically dry, especially when temperatures are low. In its habitat, atmospheric humidity from the coast and episodes of camanchaca (coastal fog) can provide water without the need for significant rainfall.

🌸 Flowering
The flowers appear in the young areoles near the apex and are bell-shaped, approximately 2.3–4 cm long. The tepals are whitish-yellow, with a characteristic light reddish central stripe. The pericarpel and the floral tube have small scales accompanied by abundant white wool and bristles. The style is reddish-purple at the base and the stigma has red-orange lobes. In Chile, flowering has been observed mainly in November, although it depends on the occurrence of favorable environmental conditions, such as rain or sufficient coastal humidity. In cultivation in Madrid, the date may shift according to temperatures and the evolution of the vegetative cycle. The ripe fruit is elongated, red, thick-walled, and covered with white wool.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low levels of nitrogen is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

7x7x10 cm black root-training pot

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