Neobesseya

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. USA.

Description. Neobesseya are small cacti with a spherical or slightly retracted green stem. The stems sometimes branch with age, have no ribs, but are covered with uniformly high rounded tubercles, at the tops of which there are clearly defined white areoles. The spines are predominantly white and long. The flowers appear at the top of the stem, very remarkable for their unusual pastel gold or soft pink, salmon or cream colors, up to 5 cm in diameter.

Height. Up to 20 cm, grows slowly.

Neobesseya - care at home

Temperature conditions

Tolerates a very wide range of temperatures, tolerates frosts up to 15 - 25 ° C if kept in dry soil. 

Lighting

Like most cacti, it requires bright light with some shading on particularly hot days.

Care

This is a very hardy plant that can withstand frost and drought; it only does not tolerate waterlogging and stagnant water.

Substrate

Can be grown in ready-made mixtures for cacti based on mineral components. The soil must have excellent drainage. The root collar can be surrounded by a layer of fine gravel or coarse sand. 

Feeding

Monthly during the growing season with fertilizers for cacti and succulents with a high potassium content and low nitrogen content. Fertilizers are diluted to half the recommended concentration.

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

Do not spray; in autumn and winter, the air in the room should be dry. Provide very good air movement around the plant. 

Soil moisture

Water sparingly; in winter the soil should be almost completely dry. In spring and summer, dry the soil by half between waterings. Try not to water in rainy weather.

Transplant

Adult cacti can remain in the same soil for several years. Replant if necessary to change the size of the pot or soil in the spring.

Reproduction

Sowing seeds in spring or using stem cuttings, and drying the cutting site for several days. Rooting cuttings often ends in failure. The seedlings are covered with glass to maintain moisture, and watering in the first months is replaced by spraying. Germination occurs within 1 - 2 months. Grafting onto rootstocks that are more resistant to rotting.

Pests and diseases

Adult plants rot very easily at the slightest waterlogging.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.