Publication: n. n. [as: Lobivia bruchii var. nivalis Frič ]
Description
Echinopsis bruchii var. nivalis firstly described as Lobivia bruchii var. nivalis by Frič is an hight altitude form of the wide ranging and very variable Echinopsis bruchii with mostly yellowish or whitish pines and red blooms. The differences with other Echinopsis bruchii are in reality very minimal and most botanist agree on the fact that both should all be included in the Echinopsis bruchii, and the two plants are not readily distinguishable, if not for the geographical provenance.
Similar species: Echinopsis bruchii var. nivalis is a controversial variety sometime considered by some a paler spined form of the brown spined Echinopsis formosa subs. Korethroides growing in the same or overlapping geographic areas. Intermediate forms with variable spine colour between the mentioned species will occur in habitat.
Habitat: It is a massive growing barrel cactus with a solid and spiny presence, solitary at first, but often branching basally to form colonies later. The dense yellowish or whitish spines would protect it from the extremes of cold and sunshine. The new spines are actually dark brown and appear in the spring.
Stem: Globular, 20-30(-50) cm in diameter, becoming elongate or cylindrical with age 0,5-0,7(- 2) m tall, glossy dark green and more or less depressed in the centre.
Ribs: 15-50 or more, distinct but low, more or less inflated or tuberculate between areoles.
Areoles: Filled with short white wool.
Spines: , those of the upper areoles connivent.
Central spines: 2-4.
Raduial spines: 8-10
Flowers: Diurnal, small, at areoles below the apex of plant, 4-5(-8) cm long and 4-5 cm in diameter, deep red to orange; tube of flower short, its axils filled with wool; inner perianth-segments lanceolate, slightly spreading ; filaments exserted beyond the throat, but shorter than the perianth-segments.
Blooming season: Spring to summer. Flowers last for 1 to 3 days (depending on weather condition).
Origin and Habitat
Northern Argentina (Jujuy, Salta) .
Altitude: It grows at elevations of 3800-4100 meters above sea level.
The species is locally abundant in high altitude in puna grasslands, monte shrubland, and altos andes among large boulders on flats, slopes and ridges.
Cultivation and Propagation
It is very easy to grow and cold hardy as low as -12°C (or less). Need a fertile, well drained soil mix. Water the plants well and allow them to dry before watering again. During the growing season fertilize them monthly with a balanced fertilizer.
Sun Exposure: Outside full sun, but during hot summers, the cactus are subject to sun burning, so grow them in light shade, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun.. During winter month, put them in a cool luminous place and encourage them to enter winter dormancy by withholding water and fertiliser over the winter as they will etiolate, or become thin, due to lower levels of light. They are susceptible to fungal diseases if overwatered, but are not nearly as sensitive as many other cacti, especially in warm weather. If kept damp through cold periods, they will invariably suffer.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
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James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
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David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. “The New Cactus Lexicon” dh books, 2006
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Friedrich Ritter “Kakteen in Südamerika: Ergebnisse meiner 20jährigen” Volume 2, Argentinien/Bolivien, Volume 2 Selbstverlag, 1980
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Curt Backeberg “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde,” Volume 2 G. Fischer, 1959
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N. L. Britton and J. N. Rose “The ‘Cactaceae’, Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the ‘Cactus’ Family” volume 2 Carnegie Institution, 1920
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Hans Hecht “BLV-Handbuch der Kakteen” BLV-Verlagsgesellschaft, 1982
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Haustein, Erik. “Der Kosmos-Kakteenführer.” Kosmos / Gesellschaft der Naturfreunde., Stuttgart, 1983
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Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton “Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names.” Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg 2010
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