Dark reddish-green body, spidery spines and beautiful spectacular
dark gold flowers.
Description: Generally
clustering, globose or cylindrical
Stem:
Up to 5 cm tall
or more, 4-6cm in diameter.
Cultivation: It is a good beginner cactus and easy to grow
and flower. It is quite resistant and occasionally gets covered by
bright showy 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). 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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