All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.

Gymnocalycium horstii

A lovely plant, with nearly armless yellow spines flattened against body.
 

Description: Gymnocalycium horstii isa a distinctive large cactus, minimally spined with a green ball-shaped body. Usually solitary or slowly clustering as they age.
Stem: Smooth, globoid, shiny green, up to 20(-25) cm in diameter.
Ribs: 5-6 cm wide, rounded, somewhat acute, deeply furrowed.
Spines: Few (usually 5 of which one pointing downward others to the sides) , yellowish white, sparse, straight to slightly curved, definite and very irregular, up to 3 cm long.
Flowers: White, pale pink, pink or pale purplish up to 11 cm long and in diameter.
Fruit: Ovoid, blue-green.

Note: Gymnocalycium buenekeri and G. horstii are very similar if not identical, both have very similar great pink flowers and the same (usually) five ribbed appearance, and good, yellow spines.

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Etymology: Named after Leopoldo horst (1918-1987) German-born Brazilian cactus collector and exporter in Rio Grande do Sul.
 

This species has great pink flowers.

Cultivation: Very easy to grow, this plants offers no cultivation difficulties. Summer grower needs moderate to copious waterings in summer (It enjoy more water than the average cactus). Quite frost resistant if kept dry in winter  -4° C.  Feed with a high potassium fertilizer  in summer. Sun Exposure: Light shade. (Keep out of hot, direct sun or will burn badly but hot, blazing afternoon sun taking it well, just bronzing a bit)

Propagation: Seeds (seldom produces offsets)

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.