Description
It is a small globose cactus, in age it forms nice clumps.
Stem: Spherical, of a fresh green colour.
Areoles: Spineless with a short white wool, they are arranged geometrically and contrast with the stem .
Spines: Usually absent, a few small bristly spines are occasionally produced in the flowering areoles.
Flower: Light yellow, stamens yellow, anther of a bright contrasting red.
Remarks: This is a very distinctive plant even without flowers. It’s very different from the common long and dense spiny form.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
It is easy to grow. It prefers a neutral to slightly acidic mineral-based potting mix with a good drainage. It likes a warm bright location, does great in partial shade but doesn’t like full, hot blazing sun in the central summer month. Can support quite some water during the growing season but pot plants in winter are wet-sensitive and needs to be kept dry (rots easily if soil is wet and cold) tends to lose its roots in winter. Usually it is recommended to over-winter this plant in a bright and warm greenhouse with at least 8-10° C , but it has proved to tolerate temperatures as low as -5° C for short periods.
Propagation: This plant can be propagated only vegetatively by grafting or cuttings.
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