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Acanthocalycium thionanthum P144
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Description: Usually solitary or slowly branching through basal
shoots.
Stem: Spherical in time becomes slightly cylindrical, growing to
a height of 12 cm or more, and a diameter of 6 to 10 cm. The epidermis
is green to dark blue grey and become clear powdery-grey in the
older part of the stem (like some Copiapoa)
Ribs: About 9-15.
Areoles: At the apex of tubercles, at first are covered with
yellowish-brown felt. The lower part of the areola is elongated while
the upper part curves around the sides of the rib, more or less in the
shape of a small shield. As the tubercles widen in the course of growth,
the areoles become elliptical and almost glabrous.
Spines: 5 to 10 radial spines and 1 to 4 central spines, they are
all more or less of the same length in a given plant (± 0,5 -3 cm.), but
this species appears to be very variable about the length colour and
number of spines in different population. They usually are black or
light brown at first, becoming grey or whitish-yellow as they ages.
Flowers: Bell-shaped 5 cm. long or less on lateral areoles and
the segments of the perianth are sulfur- or lemon-yellow (but also
white, orange or red), They have very hairy bud,
The floral tubes have brown-white hairs /bristles and dark spine-tipped
scales,
Cultivation: It is a summer grower species
that offers no cultivation difficulties. Water regularly
in summer (but do not overwater ) needs good drainage and very porous,
keep rather dry in winter.
Feed with a high potassium
fertilizer in summer.
It is quite frost resistant if kept dry (hardy to -12° C)
Need a very bright exposure, full sun
is indispensable to keep plant compact with strong spines.
Propagation: Direct sow after last frost,
offsets (if available).
One week old seedlings
Photo &
© copyright
by
Süleyman Demir Turkey
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
