Brasilicactus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Brazil.

Description. Currently included in the genus Parody. Brasilicactus is a miniature, densely spiny spherical cactus about 3.5 cm in diameter with a dark green or brownish green stem covered with short hooked spines and showy golden yellow or red flowers in spring. Mature plants sometimes acquire a cylindrical shape with age. The ribs are numerous - from 24 to 32. The areoles are rounded, located close to each other. The spines are white or yellowish, very dense, often intertwined. There are 4 - 6 central spines, yellow with reddish tips, they are slightly curved. There are about 16 radial needles, they are yellowish-white. Flowers are 26 - 40 mm long, 35 - 40 mm wide, golden yellow, greenish or red, the flower tube is covered with brown small spines, appearing in the upper part of the stem. Fruits 8 - 10 mm. diameter, pubescent. The seeds are small, black.

Height. Up to 15 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Loves warmth (recommended minimum temperature in winter is 5 ° C), tolerates frosts down to -5 ° C if the cactus is kept completely dry. 

Lighting

A very well-lit place without direct sunlight. In the shade, growth slows down, the stem may bend.

Care

A relatively easy to grow attractive cactus.

Substrate

Grow it in open sandy cactus compost.

Feeding

Once during the growing season, use fertilizer for cacti and succulents (high potassium and low nitrogen) in half the dosage.

Flowering time

Blooms in late winter or early spring for a long period of time, profusely.

Air humidity

Loves constant ventilation and intense air movement.

Soil moisture

Water moderately, try not to water in rainy weather. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Keep practically dry in winter. 

Transplant

Repot into shallow bowls with large drainage holes. Mature specimens can grow in the same pot for several years. After repotting, stop watering for a week or more.

Reproduction

Seeds sown in well-drained sandy soil in spring. Cover the container with a plastic cap to maintain even humidity. Gradually increase the ventilation time.

Pests and diseases

Brasilicactus does not like excess fertilizers. Mature plants easily rot and die, especially after transplantation, so be extremely careful with watering.

Cacti that receive proper care are rarely attacked by pests, but sometimes spider mites and mealybugs may appear.