Publication: ( a.k.a. = forma brevispina or inermis)
Description
Cylindrical grey-greenish and coated in a whitish bloom 2.5 cm in diameter, 5 cm tall.
Tubercles: Conical with a rhomboidal base, Slowly clumping.
Areoles: Small with white caduceus wool.
Spines: 4 spongy, chubby and very short, 2-4 mm long yellow-brownish.
Flowers: Infundibuliform, light yellow-green up 1,5 cm in diameter.
Blooming season: The flowers appear at the plants apex in succession from spring to summer.
Fruit: Longly ovoidal 10 mm long. With dried flowers remnants.
Origin and Habitat
Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Cultivation and Propagation
It’s a fairly easy and robust species to cultivate, but very slow growing. It needs a very well-drained soil, and requires strong sun to part sun to keep the plant compact and low. Waterings should be rather infrequent to keep the plant compact, and avoid its becoming excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance.
Furthermore it has a tap root, and watering it properly is often difficult, because it tends to crack open or rot if over-watered. Keep dry in winter, or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. It is hardy to -4°C for a short period. Assure a good ventilation.
Reproduction: Cutting or grafting or by seeds (if available).
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
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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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Davide Donati, Carlo Zanovello “Conoscere, capire, coltivare i Turbinicarpus-Rapicactus” Cactus Trentino Sudtirol, 2004
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