Description
Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Sazanami, a.k.a. “Small Wave” for the shape of the undulated ribs, is a very rare Japanese cultivars of Astrophytum myriostigma. The name “Sazanami” (細波) means “a small embroidered ripple” and refers to the characteristic wave designs or embroidery patterns on the ribs, so it seems like the woolly areoles are connected with each other by small embroidered ripples. The plant in this page is the nude form with shining green epidermis. It is often considered a variant of Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Hakujo in which the woolly areoles on the ribs have a thin felty line (not embroidered) between them. The “SAZANAMI gene” is a mutation of myriostigma, while (probably) the “HAKUJO gene” comes from “Astrophytum ornatum”.
Origin and Habitat
Japan, Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Sazanami is relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows very well on its own roots too.
Potting substrate: Use mineral well permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Moisture: Water sparingly from March till October and keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is Hardy to -7°C for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.
Propagation: They can be propagated easily from seed or graft.
