Description
Echinopsis densispina f. albolanata (Lobivia albolanata) is a solitary or slowly branching white woolly form of Echinopsis densispina. However the distinguishing soft white spines of Echinopsis densispina f. albolanata, appear to fall within the natural variation of Echinopsis densispina and it should be synonymized with the latter.
Stem: 3-6 cm in diameter, 4-10 cm tall, short columnar, somewhat woolly, especially near the crown of the plant. Epidermis glaucous-green to dark purplish red coloured in full sun.
Ribs: Not very prominent, vertical and shortly tuberculated.
Areoles: Fluffy white.
Radial spines: 12-20 or more, short up to 1 cm (usually less) very fine, flexible, whitish and almost pectinated.
Central spines: Usually absent, but occasionally 1 or 2 stronger and darker.
Roots:Fat tuberose tap root.
Flowers: Golden yellow. It’s supposed to be free flowering but plant start flowering only when 4-5 years old.
Origin and Habitat
Santa Victoria to Quebrada del Toro, Salta, Argentina.
Cultivation and Propagation
It is a summer grower species that offers no cultivation difficulties. Lobivia albolanata has a fairly large tap root, and should be kept in a deep pot with a very draining mineral substrate. Water regularly in summer (but do not overwater ) keep dry in winter. Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer. Repot yearly until reaching about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter but can be done at other times. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots. Repotting will increase size of stems. It is quite cold tolerant if kept dry (hardy to -5° C). Need a bright exposure, full sun or half shade in summer.
Propagation: Seed, grafting, cutting. (seldom produces offsets)
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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Walther Haage “Cacti as House Plants” Studio Vista, 1965
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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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Curt Backeberg: “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde” Volume V, Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart New York 1982–1985
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Lowry, M. 2013. Echinopsis densispina. In: IUCN 2013. “IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” Version 2013.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 01 January 2014.
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