Astrophytum

 

Cactus family. Homeland - Mexico.

Астрофитум украшенныйDecorated astrophytum

Astrophytum ornamented Astrophytum ornatum - 8 ribs on the stem and silver stripes of specks, spines straight and long, from 5 to 11 pieces, up to 3 cm long, yellow-brownish in color. It blooms with light yellow flowers at an older age, the diameter of the flower is 7-9 cm.

The A. o. virens stem completely green, without specks. A. o. espiralis - has spirally twisted ribs, in A. about. Neveum - the stem is covered with dense white pubescence. A. o. pentacantus - has only 5 spines.

Astrophytum capricorne- has unique, bizarrely curved spines similar to goat horns and light specks on a dark green stem. The stem can reach 20-25 cm long and 12 cm in diameter, has no lateral shoots. There are up to 9 distinct ribs on the stem. Areoles with light gray pubescence. Spines up to 7 cm long, brown or gray. Flowers up to 8 cm in diameter are yellow.

In the species A. c. crassispinoides, the trunk is covered with white specks. A. c. major - has numerous silver specks and almost black spines.

Astrophytum myriostigma is considered the most common and unpretentious of astrophytums. The shape of the trunk resembles that of a starfish. The number of pronounced ribs is usually 5. The trunk is spherical, slightly elongated, pale green to gray. There are no thorns. Flowers up to 6 cm in diameter are yellow.

Many varieties are known, some of which have 3 or 4 ribs (A. myriostigma var. quadricostatum), others up to 8-10 ribs ((A. myriostigma var. tulense). Young cacti tend to be five-ribbed, but with age there is a tendency to increase or decrease ribs.

Астрофитум многорыльцевыйAstrophytum multi-pointed
Photos of other types of astrophytum

Astrophytum - care and cultivation

Temperature: Normal in summer, but in the heat, when above 30 ° C, cacti need to be shaded. From May to September it is better to keep in the fresh air - on the balcony or in the garden, in the greenhouse, opening it during the day for ventilation and closing it at night to keep warm. In winter, the rest period of astrophytum at a temperature of 7-10 ° C, with dry content.

Lighting: Bright, intense lighting, with direct sunlight. Astrophytes love a lot of light and sun in winter and summer.

Watering: Moderate constantly during the period of growth, always with complete drying of the soil, and the composition of the soil must be such that the earth dries no longer than 1 day. Since autumn, watering has been reduced, and in winter, in the cold, they practically do not water.

Fertilizer: From late spring to mid-summer, astrophytum is fed with special fertilizer for cacti about once every 3 weeks.

Air humidity: Astrophytums are resistant to dry air, do not need spraying.

Transplantation: Soil - the 1 part of the sod, the 1 part of the leaf, the 1 part of the peat land, the 1 part of the sand and brick chips. For adult cacti and old sod soil is 2 parts. Since most astrophytums have large strong spines, they need more calcium in the soil (except A. myriostigma). To do this, marble or granite crumbs or just eggshells are added to the soil. Astrophytums do not tolerate too acidic soil, the soil reaction for them should be very slightly acidic, close to neutral, so peat soil can not be used. Young plants are transplanted annually, old in a year.

Reproduction: Seeds. Sowing as usual in January-March in wide shallow areas a mixture of sand and universal peat soil (for example, Terra Vita). There is no need to drop seeds, moisten them from a spray bottle and cover them with film or glass. Crop care: ventilate 2-3 times a day, maintain a temperature of 25-27 ° C as soon as seedlings appear - maximum lighting, possibly with daylight lamps (or LEDs). Gradually remove the cover from the glass. You can dive when the seedlings begin to interfere with each other, in separate small pots no more than 5 cm in diameter.

Vaccinations for astrophytums are not suitable, since vaccinated astrophytums do not live long, and the appearance loses decorativeness.

Read more about the features of various regimens, transplantation and reproduction in the section Cacti

By the way

The genus Astrophytum has more than 25 species and varieties, which are distributed mostly in Mexico, and the USA (Texas).

Astrophytums are also called star cacti, this is obviously due to their appearance. Genus name from Greek asteroc - star and phyton - plant.

Most different species of astrophytum are quite light in culture, and also easily propagate by seeds, for which they are loved by many cactusists. Astrophytum seeds quickly lose their germination, but healthy fresh seeds (stored for no more than 1 year) germinate literally 3-4 days after sowing.

Astrophytums, like all other cacti, are in great need of fresh air. Therefore, for the summer it is better to take them out into the garden or onto the balcony and leave them there until autumn in a warm place protected from rain and wind. Round-the-clock stay in the fresh air throughout the summer period, especially hardens and strengthens cacti, increases resistance to diseases and pests.

By the way

The speckles on the astrophytum stem are actually microscopic fine hairs that have the ability to absorb moisture. That is why astrophytums must be handled carefully so as not to erase or cut off speckled hairs.

By the way

The vast majority of astrophytums have a spherical stem with pronounced ribs, but in old plants the stem stretches and becomes more cylindrical.

With age, most astrophytums have a sampling (or formation of brown spots) of the lower part of the stem from the root neck and above, this greatly disfigures the plant. The reasons for this phenomenon are not entirely clear. It is assumed that this is possible with astrophytum content in cool conditions with high humidity. In addition, the appearance of brown spots at the base of the stem may be associated with an increased salt content in the soil and water for irrigation.