€31,80

Tephrocactus molinensis (Speg.) Backeb.

🌱 Morphology
A small cespitose and jointed cactus that forms clumps about 16–26 cm in diameter and barely 5–10 cm tall. The segments are globose to ovoid, approximately 3–4 cm long and 2–3 cm in diameter, grayish-green to reddish-brown, with poorly defined tubercles. The areoles are large, numerous, and practically spineless, but are surrounded by a striking tuft of reddish or grayish glochids, accompanied by white hairs. The segments detach easily, a strategy characteristic of many opuntioids. The flowers, about 3 cm in diameter, are pearly white to pale pink, with a darker central band.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Endemic to the Calchaquí Valleys of Salta, Argentina, especially between Cafayate, San Carlos, and Molinos. It grows at approximately 1,200 to 3,000 m, in sandy areas and rocky slopes, often partially covered by sand and associated with large columnar cacti such as Leucosthele atacamensis. During the dry season, the segments can dehydrate intensely and retract almost to ground level. It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Opuntioideae subfamily, and Tephrocacteae tribe. Maihueniopsis molinensis and Opuntia molinensis are historical synonyms.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8b
Tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −9 ºC in dry conditions and with well-acclimated specimens. This resistance may vary between clones. The fundamental requirement is to keep the segments and roots completely dry during frosts.

☀️ Lighting
Requires direct sun and very intense light. During active growth, a DLI PAR of approximately 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended, with progressive acclimatization. Intense radiation favors compact segments and more pronounced coloration.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. It is kept completely dry during winter. Its main growth period is in spring, when the segments hydrate and new segments appear. Abundant but very infrequent watering is recommended at this time, allowing the substrate to dry out completely. It may produce some new segments in autumn, but watering should be gradually reduced at the end of summer.

🌸 Flowering
The flowers are white to pale pink, with a darker center, and reach about 3 cm. Flowering occurs mainly between late spring and early summer.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended. Assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgor, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis.

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

📏 Gourmet xerophyte in a 9x9 cm pot.

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

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