Description: Solitary or clustering cactus.
Stems: up to 8 cm tall, 10 cm in diameter with woolly apex;
Areoles: young areoles with white hair.
Ribs: Barely visible beneath the numerous white radial spines,
thin sometimes wavy, ± 30 (S. ochoterenanus) or 40 to 50 (S. lexarzai)
or 30-34 (S. heteracanthus)
Spines: Radials white numerous 22 or more (S. ochoterenanus) 8 to
10 (S. lexarzai) close to the body, 8-12 mm long. Centrals 4, the
superior one up to 6.5 cm long flattened dark-brown that age to tan.
Flowers: Pale pink or pale greenish yellow, 2.5 cm long.
Fruit: Greenish fruit with whitish scales.
Culture: Easy to to care and flower.
No absolute schedule can be given for watering as various factors
(Soil mixture, containers, drainage, temperature, size of plant)
influence water use, so - as a general rule - the soil should be
thoroughly wetted at each watering during the active growing season
(spring and summer), water when the top 1,5- 2 cm of soil feels dry to
the finger. Do not soak the soil during the dormant period. Be careful,
excessive watering can make root and/or stem to rots. Make sure there is
good air circulation between plants. Good drainage is essential along
good moisture retention properties and adequate nutrients availability.
Require bright sunlight to grow well. Dormant plants do best at
temperatures from 5-10°C (but will tolerate -5° for short periods). The
cooler temperatures develop sturdier plants and encourage the formation
of flower buds.
Propagation: By offsets which often are found growing around the base of the
plant, Remove the basal offset (if available) in spring or summer
and let the cuttings dry for a few days before inserting in compost or
(usually) by seed.
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