Lepidocoryphantha

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. USA, Mexico.

Description. Lepidocoryphantha is a small attractive cactus with an ovoid or slightly elongated stem of dark green or grayish green color, covered with rounded high tubercles. At the tops of the tubercles there are pubescent areoles with long, golden-brown, white or black spines. The spines are straight, up to 2.5 cm long. The flowers are large - up to 8 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped, pink or burgundy. After flowering, ovoid, dark green fruits up to 2.5 cm long are formed.

Height. Up to 10 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Loves warm conditions at a temperature of 20 - 25 ° C. In winter, dormancy sets in and in this state cacti are kept at a temperature of 5 - 10 ° C. Tolerates short frosts if it is in very dry soil. 

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, lepidocoryphantha blooms readily and often. 

Substrate

Representatives of the genus are sensitive to waterlogging and require 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 look. Even a large 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

Lepidocoryphantha 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 sown in spring or by separating lateral shoots that sometimes appear at the base of mature plants. The cut site is dried for several days. Vaccinations.

Pests and diseases

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

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.