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Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super

Family: CACTACEAE · Cultivar of Astrophytum asterias

Description

Contrarily to the normal Astrophytum “Superkabuto” that has only a mosaic of small spaced ± rounded white dots the “snow type” differ for the dense white covering of dots that almost conceal the epidermis, this particular form is also called “Snow white”, or “White form”. This intense white covering is not seen in most of the normal ‘Super Kabuto’ seedlings and will change and emphasize as a plant ages.

Origin and Habitat

Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar). There are several forms mainly selected by Asian growers, particularly in Japan.

Cultivation and Propagation

Grows quite slowly. The plants need a loose well-drained mineral soil. They need a good amount of light. Watering can be done weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough, with a little fertilizer added. Kept this way, plants will show a healthy, although slow growth. They are frost hardy to -4° (-10°) C

Cultivation remarks: The epidermis is harder than in the normal form of Kabuto and cracks easily if plants will be overwatered.

Propagation: By seeds, remembering that seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions and need to be repotted frequently. Additionally grow them under drier conditions or with stronger sunlight. But plants are often grafted to accelerate growth as they would generally take at least a five years to reach maturity on their own, but the grafted plants are typical rather tall growing, compared with plants on their own roots that are usually more flat to the ground.

Bibliography

Major reference and further lectures

  1. Hadley Nation “Super Kabuto and Rare Astrophytum: Limited Edition Collector’s Guide” Little Quin Publishing, 2007

  2. http://www.astrobase.de/Asterias/Artikel/esuperkap.html

  3. Sato, T., “J.C.P Color Hand Book Series No. 2, Volume 1, Hand Book Asterias Family” page 1-65, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press. 03/25/1973

  4. Benadom, D., “Cacti & Succulents for the Amateur” in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 70 No. (6), page 314-315, 1998

  5. Kleszewski, K. P., “Verein der Kakteenfreunde Mainz/Wiesb. u. Umgebung, OG, Astrophytum asterias (ZUCC.) LEM. Am Standort in Mexiko…und in Kultur” in: Kaktusblüte, volume: No., page 25-28, 1998

  6. Kibayashi, A., “Cacti and succulents in Japan, part 1” in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 65 No. (3), page 126-127, 1993

  7. Kobayashi, A., “Cacti and succulents in Japan, part 3” in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 68 No. (5), page 245-249, 1996

  8. Sato, T., “Astrophytum asterias varieties” In : A Quarterly Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, volume: 1 No. (1), page 22-34, 1978

  9. Sato, T., “Astrophytum asterias” in: Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, volume: 9 No. 7, page 10-14, 1995

10 ) Sato, T., “Astrophytum asterias” in: Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 3, page 10-14, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, 1995

  1. Sato, T., “Contest of Cactus & Succulent plant in Kyoto 1998” in: Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 11, page 2-7, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, 1998

  2. Sato, T., “Contest of Cactus & Succulent plant in Saitama 1998” in: Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 12, page 2-4, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, 1998

  3. Sato, T., Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 6, page 2, 7, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, (unknown) 1999

  4. Sato, T., Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 7, page 9, 10, 15, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, (unknown) 1999

  5. Sato, T., 1999 “The report of the grand meeting to celbrate the 20th anniversary of ‘KYOSENKAI’” in Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 9, page 2-11, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press,

  6. Anderson, M., “Grafting succulents” in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 69 No. (1), page 17-25, 1997

Gallery

Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)© Prof. Ilham Alakbarov · source · CC-BY-SA
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)© Flavio Agrosi · source · CC-BY-SA
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)© Valentino Vallicelli · source · CC-BY-SA
- This is one of the choicest Japanese cultivars with crowded white woolly dots. (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)
- This is one of the choicest Japanese cultivars with crowded white woolly dots. (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)© Valentino Vallicelli · source · CC-BY-SA
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)© Valentino Vallicelli · source · CC-BY-SA
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)© Cactus Art · source · CC-BY-SA
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)© Cactus Art · source · CC-BY-SA
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super (Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type)© Valentino Vallicelli · source · CC-BY-SA