Publication: Kakteen Südamerika 3: 917. 1980
Description
Areoles more woolly. Fruit slightly smaller, yellow or orange, not red. Seed slightly smaller.
Origin and Habitat
It is found between Cifuncho Esmeralda and along the coast.
Cultivation and Propagation
It is a very slow growing and extremely rot prone species if kept in a non ventilated place.
Soils: Require a very fast mineral draining drying soil (70-80% grit and 20-30% of land soil).
Watering Needs: Extremely root prone, needs good drainage, waterings should be rather infrequent in summer (do not overwater), to keep the plant compact and not become excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance. Keep dry in winter, or when night temperatures remain below 10° C.
Exposure: Requires strong sun exposure to develop good spinal growth (maximum brightness, sunlight accepted), but tolerate light shade.
Hardiness: Good heat tolerance. Hardy to at least -5°C for a short period but cannot tolerate long standing freezing temperature, and for an healthy cultivation ensure a minimum temperature of 5° C. Assure a good ventilation. USDA Hardiness Zone 9b and 11.
Propagation: Usually propagated from Seeds. (seldom produces offsets). Contrary to what is often observed with the seeds of Eriosyce aurata, seeds of Eriosyce rodentiophila germinate readily with good yields. The seedling growth is rapid. But the seedling are often grafted because the plants on their own roots (especially the bigger ones) are extremely prone to root rot. In fact the best and older specimens are the grafted ones.