Weingartia

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Argentina, Bolivia.

Description. Weingartias are usually solitary plants, very variable. The stems are spherical or oblong, up to 20 cm in height and 15 cm in diameter, green. There are 12 - 18 ribs, arranged in a spiral, forming tubercles. The spines are thick, abundant, up to 7 - 35 in one areole. The flowers are located at the apical part of the stem, each areole can produce up to 3 flowers, golden yellow, orange or reddish yellow, 1 - 3 cm in diameter. The flower tubes are wide and scaly. The fruits are spherical or ovoid, brownish. The seeds are oblong, small - about 1 mm, black or brown.

Height. Up to 20 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

In summer, normal room temperature is suitable; in the winter months, keep it at a temperature of at least 5 ° C. Tolerates frosts down to - 4 ° C. 

Lighting

A well-lit area with some direct sunlight.

Substrate

Standard cactus or succulent mix with coarse sand or perlite added to improve drainage. Feels great in poor soils. 

Feeding

During the growing season, fertilizer for cacti and succulents (high potassium and low nitrogen), in half concentration. Do not feed in winter. 

Flowering time

Flowers appear in early summer, flowering is short - 5 - 6 days.

Air humidity

Weingartia tolerates dry air indoors with very good air circulation around the pot. Almost all problems arise from over-watering and poor ventilation, especially when it is rainy and cool outside.

Soil moisture

Keep dry or slightly moist in winter. The plant is sensitive to overwatering (prone to rot) and needs good drainage. Water generously in summer, especially on hot days. Regular watering during the growing season promotes the development of a healthy, disease-resistant cactus with abundant flowering.

Transplant

Repot regularly. Repotting will increase the size of the stems and the number of buds. Young specimens annually until they reach a height of 100 mm, adults - every two to three years. It is best to repot in late winter. Avoid watering for several weeks after repotting to reduce the risk of root rot due to broken roots. Choose a relatively shallow pot with large drainage holes.

Reproduction

Seeds sown in light, well-drained sandy soil in spring. Cover the top of the seeds with a thin layer of sand. Cover the pots with glass or a clear plastic cover for 1 to 2 weeks to maintain moisture. Over the next 2 weeks, the glass can be removed and the crops can be sprayed once or twice a day, after which most of the seeds should germinate. 

Pests and diseases

Weingartias are sometimes affected by mites and mealybugs, but the number of all known garden pests can be reduced to a minimum by providing optimal growing conditions.