Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name: Astrophytum myriostigma
Lemaire
Original description: Cactacearum Genera nova Speciesque novae et
omnium in Horto Monvillano cultarum: 4-6 1839
cv. FUKURYIU (type A) (Whit supplementary smaller ribs between the normal ribs)
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Cultivation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is
relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows very
well on its own roots too. Use mineral well
permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus). Water
sparingly from
March till October and keep perfectly dry in
winter
at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade.
(but it is
Hardy to -7°C for short periods) In
the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!
Sun Exposure:
Light shade to full sun.
Be careful: The epidermis of the three ribbed form 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 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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