€26,50

🌱 Morphology
Solitary cactus, with a globose to elongated body, generally of compact growth and rarely exceeding 25 cm in height. It features an intense green epidermis that can acquire darker tones with age and exposure. It develops 11–16 well-defined ribs, with oval, white areoles densely provided with acicular spines. The radial spines, 11–16, are straight or slightly recurved; the central ones, 4–6, are more robust and can reach 5 cm. One of its most distinctive features is the black or very dark young spines, which progressively lighten toward grey or light brown tones with age.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to central Chile, in the Coquimbo Region, with populations from north of Los Vilos to the surroundings of La Serena, including localities near Fray Jorge. It grows in Mediterranean coastal environments, on rocky terrain and well-drained substrates, in areas where precipitation and vegetation are relatively abundant and where the influence of the camanchaca can be significant. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.

❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −4 ºC, provided the specimen is dry, acclimatized, and protected from persistent humidity. Cold accompanied by damp substrate significantly increases the risk of rot.

☀️ Lighting
Very high lighting is recommended, with a target reference of 18–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR. Direct sun promotes a compact epidermis and enhances the dark coloration of the young spines. During very hot summers, it may appreciate slight protection during the hours of peak radiation.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. It is a species adapted to the coastal Mediterranean conditions of Coquimbo, with activity mainly linked to periods of moderate temperatures and moisture availability. In cultivation, it can maintain activity for a large part of the year if temperatures are suitable. During growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. With low temperatures, it should be kept practically dry, especially during the winter.

🌸 Flowering
It produces numerous flowers that form a striking crown around the apex. They are large for the size of the plant, up to about 5.5–7 cm, with fuchsia, pink, or carmine tones and a lighter throat. The inner tepals remain relatively erect, partially obscuring the stamens. In its natural area, it flowers from late winter to spring; in Spain, it can be expected approximately between February and May, depending on cultivation conditions. The fruit is ovoid, initially greenish and subsequently pink or reddish.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, is recommended, applied once a month during 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.

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