Description: This cultivar
varies from the typical A. asterias for the
tendency to branch forming small side pups from the areole..
Stem: Dimension 3-7cm tall, 5-10 cm in diameter.
Ribs: Usually 8.
Flowers: Like those of A. asterias, yellow with a red throat.
Blooming season: Spring to summer.
Cultivation:
Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation,
it is relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant,
but grows very well on its own roots too. Use mineral,
well permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Water sparingly from March until October, and keep
perfectly dry in winter, at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade.
(but it is Hardy to -7°C for short periods).
In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!
Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.
Propagation: Almost
exclusively by seed. Plants are sometimes grafted onto column-shaped
cacti. |