Thelocactus macdowellii | Chihuahuan snowball
€7,95
🌱 Morphology
This is a generally solitary cactus, with a globose to slightly depressed body, glaucous green or grayish-green in color. It typically reaches between 4 and 10 cm in height and between 4 and 12 cm in diameter, although very old specimens can exceed these dimensions.
It has more than 30 very low ribs, formed by conical and rhomboidal tubercles arranged in a spiral. The areolas are small and woolly, especially at the apex.
It develops approximately 15–25 radial spines, thin, white or yellowish, up to 2 cm long, which intertwine with neighboring areolas forming a dense protective network. Additionally, it usually has 2–4 central spines, more robust, straw yellow to cream in color, and up to 3–5 cm long.
The combination of numerous white spines and a small body makes adult specimens resemble a small snow-covered sphere.
🌍 Habitat and geographical distribution
It is an endemic species of northeastern Mexico, restricted to a small area between the states of Coahuila and Nuevo León, within the Chihuahuan Desert. Its known distribution is very small, less than about 100 km². It grows at approximately 1,500 m altitude, on limestone slopes and xerophilous scrubland.
It belongs to the family Cactaceae and is currently considered Near Threatened (NT) due to its restricted distribution and the pressure of illegal collection.
❄️ USDA Zone and minimum cultivation temperatures
Due to its origin from elevated areas of the Chihuahuan Desert, it can be approximately placed in USDA 8b–10. Therefore, it can tolerate minimum temperatures down to -7°C. Perfectly dry and well-acclimated specimens can withstand occasional lower temperatures, but always avoiding the combination of humidity and cold.
☀️ Lighting
It needs high light and several hours of direct sun to maintain abundant and compact spination. For cultivation purposes, approximately 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR is recommended during the growth period.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During winter, it should be kept completely dry. As is the case with most Thelocactus, this cold and dry dormancy promotes root health and subsequent flowering.
With the arrival of spring, active growth begins. During spring and summer, abundant watering is recommended, thoroughly wetting the substrate and allowing it to dry completely before the next watering.
In late summer and during autumn, watering should be progressively spaced out until reaching dry winter dormancy.
🌸 Flowering
It produces very large flowers in relation to the size of the plant, approximately 4–8 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped. The coloration varies between intense pink, purple-pink, and magenta, with yellowish stamens that create a very striking contrast. The flowers appear near the apex and can cover a good part of the plant.
In cultivation, flowering mainly occurs during spring and early summer, approximately between April and June in Madrid, depending on temperature and light accumulation.
🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cacti 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 xerophytic plant cultivated in Madrid in a square technological pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 The size of our basic collection xerophytic plants are as follows:
S -> 9cm x 9cm
M-> 14cm x 14 cm
L->16cm x 16 cm
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The description of the photo specifies the plant's measurements, but these may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each Desert CITY plant has unique characteristics.
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