|
Rebutia (pygmaea) colorea is a clumping plants
with beautifully coloured flowers and
vigorous growth |
 |
Description: Small
geophyte cactus, with a heavy tap root that may exceed the size of
the plant above soil level.
Stem: This pygmaea form has dark olive-green to brownish-violet
body stems 1 to 2 (4) cm wide, becoming short-cylindrical.
Ribs: 9 to 11 ribs
Spines:
all radial, 6 to 8, pectinate.
Flowers: bright, electric carmine to
purple.
Roots: tap root.
Cultivation: It is easy to
grow and recommended for beginners. Prefer gritty, porous mix with a pH
slightly on the acidic side. Full sun to light shade, Water regularly in
summer but do not overwater (the root system is rot prone) and allow the
pot to dry out between waterings. Keep dry in winter Hardy to -4°C it
will take low temperatures when dry and do require a winter rest period.
This species will occupy a small flower pot comfortably and
remain a manageable sized house plant.
Pest and disease: This plants are subject to mealy-bug attack and
to fungus and rot problems brought about by overwatering and high
humidity.
Photo of conspecific taxa,
varieties, forms and cultivars of Rebutia pygmaea .
(This taxon has lots of synonyms (like most Lobivia)
whit several controversial varieties and subspecies):
|
|
|
|
|
Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family) |
|
|
Rebutia colorea F. Ritter 1977
Scientific name:
Rebutia pygmaea (R. E.
Fries) Britton & Rose 1922
Origin: Bolivia, Dept. Tarija, Mendez, San Antonio and
Abra de Same, near Iscayachi, at 3,500m and Yunchara, 3700 m
Habitat: They grow on steeply sloping
ground where water rarely stands for any length of time
Synonyms: (This species has about 60 synonyms- some
which don't really look like the same species)
- Rebutia pygmaea var. colorea (F.
Ritter) J. Lode
In: Cact. Aventures, cf. Repert. Pl. Succ. (I. O.
S.), 16: 17; 43: 18 (1992 publ. 1993): 1992
|
Field numbers: FR 762, 762a, 762b, WR324, Lau 407, KK
1052, RH1106
|
|
|
|
Note: It would appear that
in cultivation they grow larger and cluster more vigorously than in
habitat.
Propagation: seed or offsets.
 |
|
Cultivation and
Mail Sale 
