Parodia microsperma var. mutabilis

🌱 Morphology
    Generally a solitary cactus, although it can form small clusters. The body is globose and depressed in young specimens, potentially becoming more cylindrical with age; it has a light green to bluish-green color and reaches approximately 5–10 cm in height and up to 10 cm in diameter. It develops 13–21 ribs arranged in a spiral and divided into small conical tubercles. The areoles are initially covered by a yellowish-white tomentum. It presents numerous fine, whitish radial spines, and 3–4 short, robust, generally yellow central spines, with one lower, longer, hooked spine standing out.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Native to the province of Salta, Argentina, where it is found at altitudes of approximately 1,600 to 2,500 m. It grows in rocky terrain and arid mountain environments, associated with xerophilic vegetation. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Cactoideae subfamily, and Notocacteae tribe.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9b
Tolerates minimum temperatures down to −4 ºC if kept dry and well-acclimated. During winter, it must be kept completely dry and protected from persistent humidity.

☀️ Lighting
Requires very intense lighting and several hours of direct sun, with progressive adaptation. As a guideline during active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During spring and summer, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, it should be kept practically dry and with good ventilation.

🌸 Flowering
Produces flowers that are large relative to the body size, approximately 4–5 cm in diameter, of a bright yellow color, which appear simultaneously to form a small crown around the apex. The contrast between the golden flowers and the yellow spines is one of the most characteristic traits of this form.

🌿 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 substrate activated by mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏  Gourmet black pot 7x7 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The plant's measurements are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly, because, after all, it is a living being! Each of Desert CITY's plants has unique characteristics.