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The species name "arachnacantha" comes from the Greek for "with spider
web-shaped spines.
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Description:
Clusters freely,
will form large clumps in time.
Stem: Flattened to spherical, dark green with ribs weakly notched
Each head is up to 4 cm wide.
Spines: All radials
spider web-shaped, white,
yellow or brown, bristly, curved and
short.
Flowers: Very showy,
about 5cm cm wide with a
slender floral tube up to 5cm (or more) long, commonly golden yellow to
orange often bigger than the plant itself. But red or white coloured
flowers are also reported. Blooms open during the day from spring
through summer.
Fruit: reddish green.
Cultivation: It is a good beginner cactus and very easy to
grow and flower. It is quite resistant and occasionally gets covered by
bright showy yellow blossoms also neglected in a dry windowsill. Requires
good drainage and very porous
potting mix.
Watering Needs Need regular water in spring to fall but do not
water again until dry. Also, it is a species that is dormant in the
winter and require very little water (maybe even none) during the cold
months.
Frost Tolerance: Light frost protection required. Minimum of
5ºC for safe growing (but hardy up to -5°C or less) but some clones are
hardy to lower temperatures. Requires to be kept below 7°C in winter to
flower well in the spring.
Sun Exposure: Requires bright light (protect from
strong
midday sun).
In shade the body colour will remain mostly green, while full sun will
darken it and give it red/brown body colour. Can be sunburned if moved
from shade/greenhouse into full sun too quickly. The amount of sunlight
it can withstand without scorching depends upon the how hot it becomes
in the summer in the locale in which it is planted. It will have more
colour if it receives more light. During the spring it may be able to
take full sun until the heat arrives at the end of spring. In an area
that has hot afternoon sun, it may be able to take full morning sun, but
requires afternoon shade or afternoon light shade. |
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