Astrophytum asterias cv. HANAZONO

Astrophytum asterias cv. Hanazono kabuto
This unmistakable cultivar has additional woolly areoles on the ribs surface.

A. asterias "Hanazono kabuto" classic form Japanese import.

Hanazono kabuto 花園兜 
This is one of the most famous and peculiar Japanese Astrophytum cultivars. Some additional woolly areoles are produced on the ribs surface. Flowers buds develop from the median line between two ribs  and usually they are not produced by areoles.
This plant,  like Superkabuto, is  unmistakable.

Cultivation is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. The plants need  a loose well-drained  mineral soil. They need a good amount of light. Watering can be done weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough, with a little fertilizer added. Kept this way, plants will show a healthy, although slow growth. They are frost hardy to -4° C

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Astrophytum asterias:

• A. asterias
• A. asterias 5 ribs
• A. asterias "nudum" 
• A. asterias "star shape" 
• A.asterias cv. FUKURYU
• A. asterias cv. HAKUUN
• A. asterias cv. HANAZONO 
• A. asterias cv. LINE AREOLES
• A. asterias cv. RURIKABUTO 
• A. asterias cv. SUPERKABUTO 
• A. asterias cv. SUPERKABUTO f. cristata 
• A. asterias cv. SUPERKABUTO "Snow type" 
• A. asterias cv. SUPERKABUTO "Star type" 
• A. asterias cv. SUPERKABUTO "zebra type" (V-Type or Tiger)

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific name: Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem  

cv. HANAZONO KABUTO

Origin:  Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 1.

A Thailand  import (note the flowers bud in the groove between the ribs)