Description
This is a very nice and distinguishing plant. Some time this star shaped form of A. Superkabuto is regarded as “Mirakorus (Miracle) kabuto”, but this name is not correct as the true ‘Mirakorus kabuto’ is a completely different plant which is very rare and not available for sale Astrophytum’Mirakorus’ when young is quite similar to the star form of the ordinary Astrophytum asterias with small dots, only old plants develops the typical wide and not raised dots. The plant in photo looks like the ‘miracle kabuto’ but is only one of the innumerable forms of the polymorphic cv. Superkabuto.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar). There are several forms mainly selected by Asian growers, particularly in Japan.
Cultivation and Propagation
It is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although 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
Be careful:l: The epidermis of Superkabuto is harder than in the normal asterias and cracks easily if plants are overwatered.
Propagation: By seeds, remembering that seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions and need to be repotted frequently. Eventually, as they become mature, they attain a maximum size of 8-10 cm (20) cm. However, old plants become senile and have a tendency to succumb to disease and a weak root system. At this stage, as is well known, they die suddenly. So, after they reach 10 cm in diameter grow them slowly, and adopt a new repotting period, using intervals of every 2 - 3 years. 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
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Hadley Nation “Super Kabuto and Rare Astrophytum: Limited Edition Collector’s Guide” Little Quin Publishing, 2007
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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
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Benadom, D., “Cacti & Succulents for the Amateur” in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 70 No. (6), page 314-315, 1998
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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
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Kibayashi, A., “Cacti and succulents in Japan, part 1” in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 65 No. (3), page 126-127, 1993
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Kobayashi, A., “Cacti and succulents in Japan, part 3” in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 68 No. (5), page 245-249, 1996
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Sato, T., “Astrophytum asterias varieties” In : A Quarterly Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, volume: 1 No. (1), page 22-34, 1978
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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
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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
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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
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Sato, T., Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 6, page 2, 7, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, (unknown) 1999
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Sato, T., Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 7, page 9, 10, 15, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, (unknown) 1999
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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,
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Anderson, M., “Grafting succulents” in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 69 No. (1), page 17-25, 1997
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