Thorny plants are reputed to have really beautiful flowers; However, the one that I am going to present to you this time is very popular for having some amazing petals. They are very striking, so much so that if you ever have the opportunity to see them, you will be looking forward to their blooming again.
They belong to the Acanthocalycium, very close relatives of the Echinopsis, very decorative cacti.
The Acanthocalycium are native to Argentina, where they grow in the mountains. Although it may seem otherwise, They are ideal cacti to have in a pot, since its maximum height of only 15cm. It has between 5 and 10 brownish-brown spikes on each areola, so you have to be a little careful when handling it. They bloom from summer to late fall. Its flowers can be red, yellow, orange or white depending on the species.
Like all cacti, they are sun lovers. It is best to give them directly throughout the day, but if you have them in the garden or patio and give them only in the morning or only in the afternoon, their growth and development will not be affected. Indoors, on the contrary, it is preferable to place it near a window and turn it from time to time so that all parts of the plant receive the same amount of light.
Irrigation must be occasional, and always avoiding waterlogging. Depending on the season you are in, as well as the temperatures, you will have to water more or less. In summer, for example, we will water once a week, on the other hand in spring and autumn we will do it once every 10 days. If the winter is cold with frosts, and even if it is indoors, we will reduce the risks more.
The only drawback is that it does not withstand low temperatures. It can be grown outdoors only if the thermometer is kept above -2ºC. But that is not a problem, since as a houseplant it looks fabulous 🙂.
Did you know the Acanthocalycium?