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Turbinicarpus viereckii ssp. major
(Syn: Gymnocactus viereckii var. major)

Turbinicarpus viereckii var. major L730 fma. Lazaro Cardenas, S.L.P. Mexico, Altitude: 1500 m.
 

Description: Usually solitary occasionally clustering.
Stem: Dull green or blue-green, globose to slightly cylindrical 3-5 (-12cm) tall, 3-5(-7) cm in diameter apex with with very woolly top.
Ribs: 15 to 18 ribs divided in tubercles.
Tubercles: 6 mm long rhomboidal conical.
Central spines: 3 to 7 white with black tips in a cross like formation, 2-4 cm long.
Radial spines: 13 to 16 rigid white translucent, some with brown tips, 0.8-1.3 cm long.
Root: Swollen bundled.
Flowers: White (sometime with a pink midstripe), 3 cm long, 3,5 mm broad
Fruits: Greenish-magenta.
 

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Scientific name:  Turbinicarpus viereckii var. major (Werderm.) V.John & Riha
Werdermann, Monatsschrift der DKG, 3:175, 1931

Origin:  Mexico (municipalities of Guadalcazar in the state of San Luis Potosi and in Nuevo León)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Synonyms:  

• Turbinicarpus viereckii ssp. major C. Glass and R.A. Foster
  Published in: CASJ (US) Vol 50 (6): 285, 1978
• Echinocactus viereckii var. major
• Thelocactus viereckii var. major
• Gymnocactus viereckii var. major
• Neolloydia viereckii var. major
• Pediocactus viereckii var. major

Cultivation: It’s a fairly easy and robust species to cultivate, but very slow growing.  It needs a very well-drained soil, and requires strong sun to part sun to keep the plant compact and low and to develop a good spinal growth. Waterings should be rather infrequent to keep the plant compact, and avoid its becoming excessively elongated and unnatural in appearance. Furthermore it has a tap root, and watering it properly is often difficult, because it tends to crack open or rot if over-watered. Careful watering away from the body of the plant will allow the areoles to keep their wool. Keep dry in winter, or when night temperatures remain below 10° C.  It is hardy to -4°C for a short period.  Assure a good ventilation.

Reproduction: From seed, since the plant rarely produces plantlets, or grafted.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Turbinicarpus viereckii:

• Turbinicarpus viereckii
• Turbinicarpus viereckii ssp. major
• Turbinicarpus viereckii var. neglectus

All the information and photos in cactus art files are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.