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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name: Rebutia
gonjianii Kiesling,
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot., p. 132, 1963
Origin: North-east Argentina (Jujuy, Salta), south
east Bolivia
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Synonyms:
- Rebutia einsteinii
var. gonjianii (Kiesling) Donald,
Ashingtonia, 1 : 83, 1974
- Rebutia
Gonjiana,
B. Gonjian
[gonchian]
- Lobivia einsteinii var.
gonjianii (Kiesling), Rausch,
Lobivia 85, 1986
- Cylindrorebutia gonjianii
- Digitorebutia gonjianii
- Lobivia einsteinii var.
gonjianii (Kiesling) Rausch 1985
- Pygmaeolobivia lanata
n. p. Rausch
- Mediolobivia einsteinii var.
gonjianii
- Mediolobivia gonjianii
- Rebutia einsteinii subsp.
gonjianii (Kiesling) Hjertson 2003
- Lobivia euanthema
- Acantholobivia euanthema
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Description:
R. gonjianii is a small, clumping cactus.
It can become quite tall,
and branch in the manner of a miniature saguaro. This species is often
seen
lumped with R. einsteinii.
Stems: Cylindrical, dark brownish-green coloured, but green in the
new growth, and only about as thick as a pencil (1-1,2 cm in diameter).
It would appear that in cultivation these plants
grow larger, elongate and cluster more vigorously than in habitat.
Root: Thick, fleshy taproot.
Spines: Tiny
Flowers: Large yellow, with a tinge of orange or brownish-yellow.
Blooming Season: Blooms profusely in
spring.
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This odd plant is very different looking from other plants
in the genus.
Cultivation: This species is
probably the most difficult Rebutia to grow on its own (tuberous) roots,
and it is often grown grafted. It tends to rot if too wet, and
is best
kept in a somewhat sheltered location. Careful waterings helps to keep
the plant compact. Grow it in a very open mineral mix, (lots of pumice).
Keep dry in winter.
Hardy to -4°C for a short period. Rebutias grow in
nature at high altitudes, and do not thrive well at high temperatures in
cultivation. They will often go dormant in mid-summer and resume growth
again when the weather cools in late August. They can tolerate amazingly
low temperatures for long periods of time. All species can take frost,
even when not bone dry. It is generally accepted that plants kept at too
high a temperature, or watered too much during the winter rest period,
will not bloom the following year. Give them
an airy spot, and ensure good
drainage. It is better that they be repotted
regularly. Pots should be only slightly larger than the plant and root
system.
The roots can break during repotting, and it
is best to leave the compost dry for a while after repotting, to avoid
rot. Repotting will increase the number and size of stems,
and will increase the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until
reaching about 3 cm in size, then every two or three years will suffice.
Repotting is best done at the end of winter,
but can be done at other times, too.
All
plants, especially the young
ones, are susceptible to red spider mites. Propagation:
By seeds or offsets (If available). The stems of larger grafted
specimens can be rooted, but grow quite slowly. It makes sense to keep
some stock plants for future propagation, or to replace the eventaul
plant that rots or dies.
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