Tephrocactus geometricus | Dragon Egg
€26,50
🌱 Morphology
Geophytic opuntioid cactus, small in size with a very characteristic growth habit. It forms small clusters through globose, ovoid, or slightly flattened segments, about 3–5 cm in diameter, with pentagonal or hexagonal tubercles that give it its geometric appearance. The epidermis can vary from bluish-green to olive green and acquire purplish or reddish tones under intense lighting. The lower areoles have glochids but usually lack spines; the upper ones can develop 3–7 appressed spines, whose length and color show remarkable variability, ranging from whitish or brown to black.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to the province of Catamarca, Argentina, where it grows in extremely arid Monte and Prepuna environments, on well-draining gravel and sandy soils, generally at an altitude of approximately 1,300 to 2,900 m. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, subfamily Opuntioideae.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 8b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −10 ºC when kept completely dry and properly acclimatized. During winter, it requires a cold and dry rest period.
☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it requires very intense lighting and several hours of direct sun. An approximate target of 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR promotes compact growth and the expression of purplish tones and dark spines.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. It grows mainly during spring and summer. With high temperatures, it can receive abundant watering, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, it enters dormancy and should be kept practically dry. Its tuberous root and geophytic condition make a very well-draining substrate especially important.
🌸 Flowering
It produces relatively large flowers for the size of the plant, generally white or pinkish-white, with a more intense tone on the central vein. In Madrid, it can flower mainly between May and June.
🌿 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 high-tech square pot, with the substrate activated by mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 Gourmet xerophyte in different sizes.
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The plant's measurements are specified in the photo description, but this can also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.
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