Description
“Kikko” is a rare unmistakable Japanese cultivar distinguished by its pointed tubercles along the ribs edges, in fact its areoles stick out with notches between them, giving them a saw tooth look. The furrows which appear transversely on the ribs cuts the continuity of the ribs and the plants appears decorated with a geometrical design which is raised above the surface.
Crested form: The crested ‘KIKKO’ (Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Kikko nudum f. cristata) is one of rarest and pricey astrophytum cultivars. It is seldom seen in specialized collections and sought after by collectors, for its unique features. Though these crested myriostigma specimens are extremely rare, cresting occurs naturally, and can be encountered in many other cactus species. The cause of cresting is not fully explained and some speculate that it is a genetic mutation, but whatever the stimulus, the growth point of the stem has switched from a geometric point, to a line, which folds and undulates as the crest expands.
Stem: Fan shaped, smooth, glossy green, blue-green, grey-green or mauve-green thin or thick (depending on clone) up to 30 cm (or more ) in diameter and height with age. Usually the seedlings appears nothing special and looks like normal myriostigma, and barely shows any trace of saw teeth, but they start to produce the distinguishing indentation and turn into an amazing adult as they get 3 to 7 years old. In general the bigger the “saw teeth” are and the rounder and flatter they are, the better.
Roots: Fine, fibrous.
Ribs: Vertical, regular, deep, prominent and acute with pointed tubercles or notches, giving them a saw tooth look..
Spines: None.
Flowers: The flowers are unusual and eventually produced only by some clones.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Kikko nudum f. cristata is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. It is usually seen as a grafted plant but can grow on its own roots too.
Soil: Use a mineral well permeable soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Exposure: They need a good amount of light shade to full sun this help to keep the plants healthy, although slow growth.
Watering: Water sparingly from March till October (weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough), with a little fertilizer added. Less or no water during cold winter months, or when night temperatures remain below 10° to prevent root loss. It is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone).
Fertilization: Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn’t been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.
Hardiness: Keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is relatively cold resistant and hardy to -5° C, or possibly colder for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! (Temperature Zone: USDA 9-11)
Crested growth: Unlike ‘monstrose’ varieties of plants, where the variation from normal growth is due to genetic mutation, crested growth can occur on normal plants. Sometimes it’s due to variances in light intensity, or damage, but generally the causes are unknown. A crested plant may have some areas growing normally, and a cresting plant that looks like a brain, may revert to normal growth for no apparent reason. If you have any of the crested part left you need to remove the normal growth and leave the crested part behind this will need to be done regularly.
Propagation: Grafting or cuttings. Plants are usually grafted onto column-shaped cacti but proved to be able to produce their own roots if degrafted. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather). Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer. Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks. Large crested piece must be placed on the soil surface without burying the plant base down in the soil.