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Description: Plants usually unbranched,
deep-seated in substrate and inconspicuous.
Stems: Spheric, that become somewhat cylindrical with age,
grey-green, up to 5 cm in diameter × 2-7 cm tall,
Tubercles: Cylindrical, without latex, axils bare;
Roots: Diffuse, not enlarged.
Spines: 50 or more per areole, in several series but all equally
thin, mostly appressed, white, innocuous, bristle-like, 0,5-6 mm,
glabrous, all interpreted as radial, innermost
spines shortest.
Central: Absent.
Flowers: Approx 1 cm
long and in diameter; dirty greenish-white or cream, usually with
sharply defined midstripes of reddish-brown.
Blooming season (In Europe): January to March
Fruits: Scarlet, cylindrical or clavate, 10-25 mm long, with floral
remnant persistent, ripening in June-August.
Seed: Black.
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More than 50 white radials in each areole.
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An mature specimen from Vista Hermosa, Querétaro, Mexico (almost
20 years old)
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Cultivation: This plant
is not famous for being easy to cultivate, but in good conditions
with excellent
ventilation,
it grows without difficulty. It is especially sensitive to over-watering.
So careful watering and an open
mineral
potting soil are a must.
Avoid
the use of
peat or other
humus sources in the
potting mixture.
Don't add
limestone
to the potting mix, which must be moderately acidic.
Can be sensitive to frost (but if dry
plants are resistant to
-5° C). Requires
maximum
sun exposure
to reach its full potential
and to
achieve success in
flowering.
A winter rest that allows the plant to shrivel (perhaps losing up to
25% of its summer height) will encourage flowering and long
term
survival. Be careful to encourage slow growth.
Provide very good
ventilation.
Propagation: Direct sow
after last frost. (it usually doesn't produces offsets).
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
