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Toumeya papyracantha
x
sclerocactus parviflorus hybrid
This plant has very long
flat ±
papery
spines that are intermediate in shape to those of the parents.
The
centrals are brown with the new
growth of a bright red colour, the
radials are short and pure white.
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Habit: Solitary.
Stem: Green, up to 20 cm tall and 6-12 cm
in diameter. It has vertical ribs with
elongate tubercles.
Areoles : 0.1-0.5 cm in diameter at the summits of the
tubercles, and generally 0.3-1,5 cm apart.
Glands, which are
homologous with spines, are frequently on the
adaxial sides of areoles which do not produce flowers
Spines:
Central spines usually 3-4, flattened, ±
flexible, grooved, twisted,
papery in texture, 4-5 cm long. Often obscuring the surface of the
stem.
Radial spines parallel to the stem surface,
6-8 per
cluster, ashy-white, 3-9 mm long.
Flower: On the new growth of the current
season near the apex of the stem. Yellowhis,
bell-shaped, with a brownish central
midstripe, 2.5-4.5 cm wide.
Fruit: Green, often changing to tan,
spherical, 1.2-2.0 cm long,
dry and
dehiscent at
maturity along a
dorsal slit and around the
circumscissile apex.
Phenology: Blooming
time:
April/May
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Cultivation:
Needs moderate
watering, because excess of water causes mature
individuals to rot and die, especially after
transplanting.
Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade.
Cultural Practices: Needs
a very
draining and
mineral
substratum.
Frost Tolerance: Very
frost hardy, above approx -12° C.
Propagation: Seeds:
Temperature for optimum
germination: night minimum approx 17 day maximum,
up to nearly
40 C, at any time of
year with proper temperatures and
daylength (ca.13-14 hours); it is possible to extend day-length with
artificial lights. Anyway the seeds
germinate slowly with extreme difficulty and a low rate of success.
scarification and
stratification help, alternately
freeze and
thaw both wet and dry, but don’t keep wet, alternate wet and dry
with changing temperatures.
Germination can take several years,
so keep pot and try again next year. Seedlings do not do well either,
and some die each year, for this reason plants are commonly
grafted on hardy stocks like
Opuntia compressa.
In
this case they are easy to grow and no special skill is required. |
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