Description
Astrophytum asterias cv. OOIBO KABUTO is a Japanese selected strain with big areoles.
The “OOIBO” is very similar to the common Astrophytum asterias, but it has very large characteristic and woolly areoles, the colour of the wool also varies from pure white, to pastel, yellowish, orangish or brownish depending on the clone. So it is easily distinguishable from the standard Astrophytum asterias that has relatively small scarcely woolly greys-white areoles. However the large areoles “trait” can be appear in combination with other Astrophytum asteris cultivars, for example it can be found in Astrophytum asterias f. nudum: this combination may be named Astrophytum asterias cv. OOIBO RURI (nudum) KABUTO
Renmarks: This is one of the most famous and peculiar Japanese Astrophytum cultivars.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin, Japan. (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
It is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although it 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 the 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.
Propagation:n: By seeds, remembering that seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions, and need to be repotted frequently. But plants are often grafted to accelerate growth, as they would generally take at least five years to reach maturity on their own. However the grafted plants are typically rather tall-growing, in comparison with plants on their own roots, that are usually flatter to the ground.
Gallery
