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Description: Astrophytum
myriostigma is a quite variable species and several breeds do
exist. The "Onzuka" is probably the most beautiful, sought after
and attractive of all.
The cultivar 'ONZUKA' (In Japanese speaking "Onzuka
Ranpo-gyoku") has snowy-white, heavily speckled epidermis with
fabulous markings much like the
‘kabuto’ asterias. The white marking varies considerably
from plant to plant and there exist an enormous number of different
designs, and also plants change their appearance in age and they are
full of surprises as they grows.
It was created somewhat by chance in Japan around 1974-1977 by Mr.
Tsutomu Onzuka (Hence the name).
He intended to cross a three-ribbed
A. myriostigma with
A. myriostigma var. nudum. Subsequently, over several
generations of repeated backcrossed of the the offspring he
obtained, unexpectedly, some strange A. myriostigma characterized
by many white dots. It has been called 'ONZUKA.'
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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 in diameter. 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.
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
