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Strombocactus disciformis forma cristata.
A beautiful line of flowers!!!
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The
cause of cresting: The cause of cresting is not fully explained.
Biologists disagree
as to why some plants grow in this unusual form.
Some
speculate that it is a genetic mutation. Others say it is the result of
a strike of
lightning or freeze damage, but whatever the stimulus, the growth
point of the stem has switched from a geometric point, to a line, which
folds and undulates as the crest expands. Though these crested
Strombocactus are very rare, cresting occurs naturally, and can be
encountered in many other cactus species.
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The effect of different grafting
stocks:
◄ (Above) A plant grafted on
Myrtillocactus geometrizans
stock: the plant remain in a
juvenile condition with short
spines, no
flowers, small
rounded
tubercles and a lettuce green
epidermis. The
crest is unstable and tends to
break in individual apexes, the
growing rate is high, the
stem is swollen and
unnatural.
◄
(Below) A plant grafted on a short
Opuntia compressa
stock: the plant soon develops
adult features: long
spines, plenty of
flowers on the
apical line ,
rhomboidal
tubercles and the typical colour of
mature
Strombocactus. The
crest is very stable, the
growing rate is moderate and the plant looks very
natural.
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Cultivation: It
likes a sunny
position. It does best in a mineral soil; good drainage is essential.
Water sparingly during the summer months and keep dry in winter.
It can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in
shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun, as the
plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into
sun.
Propagation: Grafting, since
it is difficult for cuttings
to root.
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Flowers emerge early in
spring and are freely produced throughout the
summer, remaining open for several days. |
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
