Thelocactus bicolor | Glory of Texas
€10,60
🌱 Morphology
A generally solitary cactus, although it can produce small clusters with age. The stem is globose, ovoid, or short-cylindrical, green to bluish-green, and can reach approximately 15–20 cm in height, although some large specimens can exceed this measurement.
It has 8–13 ribs formed by very pronounced tubercles, which can be fused together and give the ribs a wavy or slightly spiral appearance. The areoles are quite close together and have a slight white pubescence.
It develops approximately 9–18 radial spines, up to 3 cm long, and usually between 1 and 4 central spines, which are longer and sturdier. Young spines have a very characteristic combination of red, white, and yellow, while with age they turn grayish. This bicolored spination is precisely the origin of the specific name bicolor.
🌍 Habitat and Geographical Distribution
Native to southwestern Texas and northeastern Mexico, present in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Its distribution mainly includes the Chihuahuan Desert, although it also appears in areas of Tamaulipan thornscrub.
It grows from approximately sea level up to 2,000 m, depending on the population. It is found on stony or gravelly soils, limestone and sandstone slopes, rocky outcrops, and alluvial deposits.
It belongs to the family Cactaceae. Currently, its conservation status according to the IUCN is Least Concern (LC).
❄️ USDA Zone and Minimum Cultivation Temperatures
Due to its wide distribution and origin from areas with relatively cold winters, it can be placed approximately in USDA 8b–11. The specific resistance depends heavily on the plant's origin and, above all, on it remaining completely dry during low temperatures. It can tolerate minimum temperatures of up to -7 °C.
☀️ Lighting
It needs full sun during growth. High radiation promotes a compact body, good tubercle formation, and especially spination with intense colors. For practical active growth, approximately 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR is recommended.
💧 Growth Cycle and Watering
Winter dormancy. It mainly grows in spring-summer, although its period of activity may vary depending on temperatures and rainfall in its place of origin.
During active growth, ample watering is recommended, thoroughly wetting the substrate, and allowing it to dry completely before the next watering. It is not advisable to maintain slight and constant humidity in the substrate.
In late autumn, watering should be progressively spaced out until suspended during winter. During dormancy, it must be kept completely dry, especially when temperatures are low.
🌸 Flowering
This is one of the most spectacular characteristics of the species. It produces large flowers for the size of the plant, approximately 5–8 cm in diameter, which appear at the apex. The tepals have shades of pink, purple-pink, or magenta, usually with a reddish base. In the center, a ring of yellow stamens stands out around the stigma, which may have reddish or orange hues.
The flowering season is quite broad and can occur from spring to late summer, depending on the population, approximately between May and August.
🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended. Its contribution of assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgor, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll formation.
This is an inimitable xerophytic plant grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the specific Desert SOIL substrate.
📏 Gourmet xerophytic in a 9x9 cm and 12x12 cm pot
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but this may also vary slightly because it is a living organism! Each Desert CITY plant has unique characteristics.
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