A beautiful  hybrid with big white flecks.
 

Many Astrophytum hybrids have been developed involving 'Superkabuto' & A. capricorne and are now in cultivation.

The superb feature of some of these hybrids make  them very desirable, due to the intersection between the traits of the ancestors. The more beautiful the pattern and the markings, the more sought after the plant.  Many of the best have inherited from “Superkabuto” very large, white flecks and have so little green left in them that they struggle to survive unless grafted. The ribs are noticeably raised, clearly indicating the relationship with A. capricorne.
This hybrid tends to be slower growing. The flower are also very beautiful.

Compare with the inverse hybrid CAP-SK which is similar but with longer spines.

The second plant is from Malta a hybrid previously known as Astrophytum cv. SUPERNEILPARDY

Cultivation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows very well on its own roots too. Use mineral well permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus). Water sparingly from March till October and keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is Hardy to -7°C for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.
Be careful: The epidermis of SUPERKABUTO  is harder than in the normal asterias and cracks easily if plants are overwatered.

Photo of  Astrophytum hybrids:

• A. hybrid AS-CAP (asterias x capricorne)
• A. hybrid AS-CO (asterias x coahuilense)
• A. hybrid AS-ONZ (asterias x ONZUKA)
• A. hybrid AS-SENAU (asterias x senilis aureum)
• A. hybrid CAP-AS (capricorne x asterias)
• A. hybrid CAP-AS green  (capricorne x asterias green)
• A. hybrid CAP-SK (capricorne x SUPERKABUTO)
• A. hybrid CO-AS (capricorne x asterias)
• A. hybrid MY-OR (myriostigma x ornatum)
• A. hybrid ONZ-AS (ONZUKA x asterias)
• A. hybrid ONZ-SK variegated & albinos forms (ONZUKA x SUPERKABUTO)
• A. hybrid ONZ-OR (ONZUKA x ornatum)
• A. hybrid OR-MY (ornatum x myriostigma)
• A. hybrid OR-ONZ (ornatum x onzuka)
• A. hybrid SEN-AS rosa (senilis x asterias nudum)
• A. hybrid SEN-SK (senilis x SUPERKABUTO)
• A. hybrid SK-CAP (SUPERKABUTO x capricorne)
• A. hybrid SK-CO (SUPERKABUTO x coahuilense)
• A. hybrid SK Multi-hybrid (SUPERKABUTO multiple interbreedings)
• A. hybrid SK Multi-hybrid variegated & albinos forms (SUPERKABUTO multiple interbreedings)

Origin:  Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

The spines are usually short or even absent.