Astrophytum Superkabuto multi-hybrid

Astrophytum Superkabuto multihybrid.
A "multihybrid" is a cultivar obtained as a result of multiple interbreedings,  they shows features of natural species mixed and can resembles many of the plants in which it was bred from.
 

Description: Some of the most intriguing Astrophytums cultivars are the result of multi-hybrid programs and possess unique and attractive characteristics.
Particularly the Astrophytum asterias “Superkabuto” has been extensively hybridized in Japan and in other countries whit other species of the genus. That is why hybrid seeds are easy to obtain as most of the species are easy to cross, and their seeds have a high germination capacity that lasts for 2 years. Many generations of hybrids were created inside the “Superkabuto” form, features of natural species mixed, and interesting hybrids and selective cultivars appeared
Multi hybrids generally display an exclusive combination of distinctive traits derived from a line of complex breeding which incorporates many different species and or hybrids. So rather than taking after one parent or another, it can resembles many of the plants in which it was bred from.
Seedlings of hybrid Astrophytum superkabuto show frequently non-typical colouring and start getting red or yellow spots on the stem, or developing crested, monstrous or other abnormal forms that yet have to be named.
 

Seedlings of hybrid of Astrophytum superkabuto show frequently non-typical coloring and start getting red or yellow spots on the stem, or developing crested, monstrous or other abnormal forms that yet have to be named.

Advertising

Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific name: Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem  
cv. SUPER KABUTO Multi-hybrids with other Astrophytum species and cultivars)

Origin:  Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

We must however remember that all the Super Kabuto are the result of cross-pollinating of the fist plant (That was a mutant of A. asterias found in the wild) with other normal A. asterias and A. capricorne (and possible other Astrophytum species too), it can be concluded that all the SK actually available are the result of intraspecific hybridization and SK contains not only A. asterias genes but also a significant number of A. capricorne genes, and maybe others. As a result spiny clones appear rather often and the name Astrophytum asterias cv. Super Kabuto is not quite correct.
 

Cultivation is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. The plants need  a loose well-drained  mineral soil. They need a good amount of light. Watering can be done weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough, with a little fertilizer added. Kept this way, plants will show a healthy, although slow growth. They are frost hardy to -4° (-10°) C
Be careful: The epidermis of Superkabuto  is harder than in the normal asterias and cracks easily if plants are overwatered.

Propagation: By seeds, remembering that  seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions  and need to be repotted frequently. Eventually, as they become mature, they attain a maximum size of 8-10 cm (20) cm. However, old plants become senile and have a tendency to succumb to disease and a weak root system. At this stage, as is well known, they die suddenly. So, after they reach 10 cm in diameter grow them slowly, and adopt a new repotting period, using intervals of every 2 - 3 years. Additionally grow them under drier conditions or with stronger sunlight. But plants are often grafted to accelerate growth as they would generally take at least a five years to reach maturity on their own, but the grafted plants are typical rather tall growing, compared with plants on their own roots that are usually more flat to the ground.

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-SEN(AU) (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 cv. CURLYSPINE
• A. hybrid MY-OR (myriostigma x ornatum)
• A. hybrid ONZ-AS (ONZUKA x asterias)
• A. hybrid ONZ-SK  (ONZUKA x SUPERKABUTO)
• 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 SEN(AU)-AS (senilis aureum x asterias)
• 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)