Neochilenia

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Chile.

Description. Neochilenia is a close relative of Neoporteria. Small spherical or slightly elongated, cylindrical cacti. The stems are round, ribbed, in most cases armed with strong spines, green, gray, brown. There are 15 - 20 ribs on the stem, they are often arranged spirally, and there are also large tubercles on the stems. The flowers are white, yellowish, pink, the outer petals are often colored in a more saturated tone. The flower tubes are covered with sparse hairs. Neoporteria differs in having shorter spines, and also in the fact that the flowers often do not open completely.

Height. From 6 to 25 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

The dormant period can occur at different times of the year, so focus on the behavior of your flower. In the warm season, these cacti can be kept at normal room temperature. During the dormant period, the temperature is lowered to 10 - 12 °C so that the plant enters the dormant period and does not stretch out due to insufficient lighting.

Lighting

Brightly lit location with access to direct sunlight in the morning and evening. When grown in direct sunlight during the daytime, it can get burned.

Care

It is quite difficult to grow neochilenia on its own roots; grafted specimens are often found in culture.

Substrate

Sandy, porous, mineral-based soil for cacti and succulents. The root collar can be surrounded with coarse river sand or fine gravel for better water drainage.

Feeding

Feed monthly during the growing season with fertilizer for cacti and succulents (high potassium and low nitrogen) in half concentration. 

Flowering time

Quite young cacti bloom; the exact time of flowering depends on the species, but mostly it occurs in the warm season. In indoor culture, it blooms quite rarely, but with good care, these cacti can bloom again within a year.

Air humidity

Provide very good air movement around the plant, but keep it away from cold drafts. Almost all problems arise as a result of waterlogging and poor ventilation. In winter, the air should be dry. In summer, periodic spraying with soft water is possible if the cactus is kept at high temperatures.

Soil moisture

During the growing season, water abundantly; between waterings, the soil should dry out to about 1/4 of the depth. In autumn, the frequency of watering is reduced and in winter they are kept almost dry.

Transplant

In spring, when the roots become too crowded. After transplanting, neochilenia is not watered for 7-10 days.

Reproduction

Seeds that are lightly pressed into the surface of the soil in the spring. Seed propagation is quite easy. Seedlings are kept warm and under a glass or plastic cover. Cuttings, which are separated with a sharp sterile instrument and planted after drying the cut site for several days. Rooting is carried out in coarse wet sand for 2 - 6 weeks. Grafting onto more resistant rootstocks. Sometimes children form around the mother plant and are planted in separate pots.

Pests and diseases

When exposed to too cold temperatures, ugly scars form on the stem. The cactus rots with insufficient drainage and excess moisture, especially in the cold season.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.