Publication: nom. inval. In Lukasik, E.: Synonymie rodu Gymnocalycium: 6 (1999)
Description
Gymnocalycium moserianum does not have a valid description due to the non-conservation of the type by Schütz in 1966. For evident similarity in spination most experts agree to put it in synonymy with Gymnocalycium intertextum, which in turn has been referred as a subspecies of Gymnocalycium ochoterenae (Graham Charles, Detlev Metzing) or of Gymnocalycium bodenbenderianum (Edward F. Anderson).
Its initial description is as follows:
Stem: Flattened globular up to 15 cm in diameter, 10 cm high, dark green.
Ribs: 10 low.
Areoles: Round to oval, 3 to 4 mm wide, about 20 mm apart, with short white felt.
Spines: 3 to 5 all radial, up to 25 mm long, sometimes thin and curvy, spreading, white-brown, dark brown at the base.
Flowers: White, about 3cm wide and tall, with red throat.
Derivation of specific name: It is named for Gunther Moser, the well-known Austrian Gymnocalycium specialist.
Origin and Habitat
Argentina, Cordoba ( Serrezuela, Salsacate, Villa de Soto, Cuesta La Higuerra)
Altitude range: Around 700-800 metres above sea level.
Cultivation and Propagation
Gymnocalycium moserianum is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate.
Growth rate: It is a slow growing but easily flowering species.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil. Prefer a low pH compost, avoid substrata rich in limestone; otherwise growth will stop altogether.
Repotting: This plant needs plenty of space for its roots, repotting should be done every other year or when the it has outgrown its pot. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Hardiness: Reputedly resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -5 C ° C, or less for short periods).
Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by watering the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: This species is particularly easy and accommodating, seldom suffer of cryptogamic diseases. Rot it is only a minor problem with gymnocalyciums if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won’t help all that much.
Propagation: Division, direct sow after last frost. Seeds germinate in 7-14 days at 21-27° C in spring, remove gradually the glass cover as soon the plants will be well rooted (ca 1-2 weeks) and keep ventilated, no full sun for young plants! To make a cutting twist off a branch and permit it to dry out a couple of weeks, lay it on the soil and insert the stem end partially into the soil. Try to keep the cutting somewhat upright so that the roots are able to grow downward.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures:
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Schütz “Gymnocalycium moserianum” Kaktusy (Brno) 66 (Únor–Brezen): 28. 1966
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Gymnocalycium Galerie “Gymnocalycium moserianum Schütz” http://www.gymnocalycium.fr/moserianum/ web 6) 14 March 2015.