€10,60

🌱 Morphology

Generally solitary cactus, although it may form small groups with age. The stem is globose, ovoid or short-cylindrical, green to blue-green in color, and can reach approximately 15–20 cm in height, although some large specimens exceed this size.

It has 8–13 ribs formed by very pronounced tubercles, which may be fused together and give the ribs a wavy or slightly spiraled appearance. The areoles are fairly close together and have a slight white pubescence.

It develops approximately 9–18 radial spines, up to 3 cm long, and normally between 1 and 4 central spines, which are longer and sturdier. Young spines have a very distinctive combination of red, white, and yellow, while they turn grayish with age. This two-colored spination is precisely the origin of the specific name bicolor.

🌍 Habitat and geographic distribution

Native to the southwest of Texas and northeast Mexico, with presence in Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Its distribution is mainly within the Chihuahuan Desert, although it also appears in Tamaulipas thorn scrubland areas.

It grows at 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 Cactaceae family. Currently its conservation status according to the IUCN is Least Concern (LC).

❄️ USDA zone and minimum growing temperatures

Due to its wide distribution and origin in areas with relatively cold winters, it can be placed approximately in USDA 8b–11. Its specific resistance depends greatly on the plant's origin and, above all, on keeping it completely dry during low temperatures. It can tolerate minimum temperatures down to -7 °C.

☀️ Lighting

It needs full sun during growth. High radiation promotes a compact body, good tubercle formation, and, especially, intense coloration of the spines. As a practical target for active growth, approximately 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR is recommended. 

💧 Growth cycle and watering

Winter dormancy. It grows mainly during spring and summer, although its period of activity may vary depending on the temperatures and rainfall in its area of origin.

During active growth, heavy watering is recommended, thoroughly wetting the substrate and allowing it to dry out completely before the next watering. It is not advisable to maintain light and constant moisture in the substrate.

At the end of autumn, waterings should be gradually spaced out until they are suspended during winter. During dormancy, it must be kept completely dry, especially when temperatures are low.

🌸 Flowering

It is one of the most spectacular features 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, normally with a reddish base. In the center, a ring of yellow stamens stands out around the stigma, which may have reddish or orange tones.

The flowering season is quite broad and can occur from spring through late summer, depending on the population, approximately between May and August.

🌿 Nutrition

During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended. Its supply of assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgidity, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll formation.

This is an inimitable xerophyte cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot with Desert SOIL specific substrate.

📏 Gourmet xerophyte in 9x9 cm and 12 x12 cm pots

* 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 these may also vary slightly because it is a living thing! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.

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