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Occasionally
cacti show
aberrant
growth forms - called "monstrous"
forms, uncharacteristic of the
species. An example of this is Aztekium hintonii forma mostruosa a
very interesting,
slow growing and uncommon plant in collections.
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Photo of
conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Aztekium hintonii.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name: Aztekium
hintoni Glass & Fitz Maurice , 1991
Forma prolifera (mostruosus)
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
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Description: This is a
genetically stable
mutation with variable +/- monstrous, irregularly shaped,
ribs with knobby-looking swellings along the
stems. Stems are lightly
pruinose and
branches just from the
base and occasionally at higher levels, the
apexes easily. The
areoles are white and
woolly.
Note: This clone is similar - and often confused - with
A. hintonii forma prolifera that produces an anomalous
proliferation of shoots just from the
base
and occasionally at higher levels. The "prolifera" form is greener, less
wooly and will never produce monstrous or
dichotomichous or
crested apexes.
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Cultivation: It is of slow growth, but not as slow as
A. ritterii. It usually takes several years for growth to be
noticeable. Needs good drainage and regular water in summer. It
should be dried out completely for its winter rest when it will
withstand temperatures down to to -4°C for short periods. It prefers
some shade.
Once a specimen is established on its own roots it is no trouble to
keep, and it becomes an easy plant to manage.
The plants are often grafted to enhance growth speed. They grow best in
full sun or half shade, which will help to maintain the lustre of
the spines and plants compact. They are
prone to
mealy bug and
red spider mite.
Propagation: From
cuttings or preferably by
grafting. It It branchs enthusiastically,
and offsets are readily available. If you remove
an offset , remember to let it dry for a week or so, letting the wound
heal (cuttings planted too
soon easily rot before they can grow roots), but it
is difficult to grow this plant on its
own roots and also only few cutting will root.
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