Lobivia crassicaulis
( R151a Andalgala - Hualfin, Catamarca, Argentina )
This is a smaller growing species fiercely spined  that will slowly cluster from the base.

Description: Slow growing species will form large clumps in time.
Stem: Small very dark green offsetting from the base.
Spines: Short but very strong with a large base: centrals 1 up to 3 cm, radials 6 to 15 2 cm long.
Flowers: Very showy orange or red reminding one of red velvet cloth.

Cultivation: It is a summer grower species that offers no cultivation difficulties.  Water regularly in summer (but do not overwater ) needs good drainage and very porous,  keep rather dry in winter. Feed with a high potassium fertilizer  in summer. It is quite frost resistant if kept dry (hardy to  -12° C) Need a very bright exposure, full sun is indispensable to keep plant compact with strong spines.

Propagation: Direct sow after last frost, offsets (if available)

Scientific name:  Lobivia crassicaulis R. Kiesling 1978

Origin:  Northern Argentina

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Common Name: 

• Echinopsis crassicaulis (R. Kiesling) H. Friedrich & Glaetzle 1983
• Helianthocereus crassicaulis (R. Kiesling) Backeberg 1966 (n.val.pub.)

The spines are short but impressively strong and very showy. The spines of plants in cultivation are usually weaker because many growers fail to give them a full sun exposure.