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Description: Astrophytum
myriostigma cv Onzuka "quadricostatum" with only four ribs - is one of
the most sought after cacti, that have fabulous markings much like the
‘kabuto’ asterias. There is a variety of variations in ribs shape and in
stems markings.
This cultivar tends to be unstable,
and some of the four ribbed specimens develop
additional ribs as they age. Old and big plants which maintain the
typical four ribbed shape are very prized. If you are so
inclined you can pay large sums of money for some of the best Japanese
forms.
Flowers: Arise from the areole at the tip of the stem on mature
plant (at least 4-5 years old) they are large, funnel-shaped, yellow,
5-7 cm wide. Blooming intermittently throughout the warm months from
spring to autumn.
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Propagation:
By
seeds, remembering that
seedlings dislike strong
light and
dry conditions and need to be
repotted frequently. Eventually, as they become mature, they attain a
maximum size of 8-10 cm (20) cm in diameter. However, old plants become
senile and have
a tendency to succumb to
disease and a weak
root system. At this
stage,
as is well known, they
die suddenly. So, after they reach
10 cm in
diameter grow them slowly, and adopt a new repotting period, using
intervals of every 2 - 3 years. Additionally grow them under drier
conditions or with stronger sunlight.
But plants are often
grafted to accelerate growth as
they would generally take at least a five years to reach
maturity on their
own, but the grafted plants are typical rather tall growing, compared
with plants on their own roots that are usually more flat to the
ground.
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Cultivation
and Mail Sale 
