Coryphanta

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Central America, Mexico.

Description. Coryphanta is a very cute small spherical or ovoid cactus with a diameter of up to 15 cm, which is gaining popularity as a houseplant. Instead of ribs, the stem has large conical tubercles and looks like a pineapple. The stems are dark green, the spines are straight or slightly bent, light gray, almost white, up to 5 cm long. Sometimes they cover the cactus so much that they completely hide the body of the cactus.

Flowers are 5-6 cm in diameter, fragrant, open during the day, painted in delicate pastel colors - pink, yellow, cream, orange, lilac, appear at the top of the stems. Numerous long petals on the outside have longitudinal dark stripes in the center.

Height. Up to 20 cm. 

Lighting

Prefers a location where there will be direct sunlight in the morning and evening every day. Light shading is necessary during the daytime.

Care

In indoor culture, the cactus blooms readily and often. 

Substrate

Coryphantha is sensitive to waterlogging and requires very porous soil that allows water and air to pass through. A ready-made mixture for cacti and succulents with coarse river sand added to it will do.

Feeding

Feed monthly from spring to autumn with fertilizers for cacti in half concentration. In winter, fertilizing is not carried out. 

Purpose

Miniature attractive cactus. The whole collection can be placed on one windowsill.

Flowering time

Summer.

Air humidity

Does not require spraying. In winter, the air should be especially dry. 

Soil moisture

In spring and summer, water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Excess water from the pan must be drained. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced even more and they simply try not to dry out the soil completely. 

Transfer

The cactus has a long taproot and requires a deep pot with large drainage holes. Plants can survive for many years without replanting, but it would be better to replant them every 2 to 3 years in fresh soil. After transplantation, watering is stopped for a week. 

Reproduction

Seeds are sown in spring. Sometimes propagated in spring by separating lateral shoots, which sometimes appear at the base of adult cacti. The cut site is dried for several days. Grafting.

Pests and diseases

It often rots when there is excess moisture, especially in winter.

Of the harmful insects, the main dangers are spider mites, scale insects, and mealybugs.