Description
The typical Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis is a small clumping cactus with very short spines arranged on globes so that it looks like orbs covered with small, white spiders. It readily forms a clustering mound. The blossoms are numerous, large dark-red, funnel-shaped, long-necked, 4 cm in diameter, 5 cm long.
Crested form: The crested form is cultivated for its beautiful fan shaped stem with short, whitish to pale brown, spider-like spine and pronounced sculpture effects. Crested specimens are often grafted on stronger species, called the stock, that can be any number of different columnar cactus. These plants occasionally produce normal shoots.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin.
Cultivation and Propagation
Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. It is usually seen as a grafted plant but grows very well on its own roots too.
Soil: Use mineral well permeable mineral soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Exposure: They need a good amount of light shade to full sun this help to keep the plants healthy, although slow growth.
Watering: Water sparingly from March till October (weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough) , with a little fertilizer added. Less or no water during cold winter months, or when night temperatures remain below 10° to prevent root loss. It is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone).
Fertilization: Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn’t been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.
Hardiness: Keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is relatively cold resistant and hardy to -5° C, or possibly colder for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! (Temperature Zone: USDA 9-11)
Propagation: Grafting or cuttings. Plants are usually grafted onto column-shaped cacti but proved to be able to produce their own roots if degrafted. Cuttings will root better in hot weather. Cuttings must be kept quite dry to root. Large crested piece must be placed on the soil surface without burying the plant base down in the soil.
Notes
The R. helosa v. condorensis is very similar, if not the same as Rebutia heliosa var. albopectinata. The only difference is the stigma colour, that is white in condorensis and pale green in albopectinata.