Pyrrhocactus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Argentina.

Description. Pyrrhocactus is a genus of cacti with a very varied appearance. The stems are spherical or slightly flattened, sometimes taking on a cylindrical shape with age, up to 15 cm in diameter. Plants are usually solitary. The ribs are deep, with high tubercles. The size, shape and length of the spines vary greatly between species. Some cacti are covered with a thick layer of long and straight light-colored spines, while others have sparse, but very strong and dark spines. During the flowering period, large flowers up to 5 cm in diameter appear at the top of the stem with many long and narrow petals in pastel colors - cream, white, yellow, red, brown, pink, green. 

Height. It grows slowly and reaches 30 cm in height in a few years. 

Home care

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, a room temperature of about 20° C is appropriate. In winter, the cactus should be in a cool place with a temperature of 6 - 8° C. It tolerates a short-term drop in temperature to -10° C if it is in dry soil. If possible, during the growing period, organize a difference between night and day temperatures. 

Lighting

Maximum possible lighting, in spring and summer shading is possible during the day. In the morning and evening direct sunlight should fall on the shoots for 3-4 hours daily - this will promote the formation of buds.

Care

Pyrrhocactus is quite difficult to grow on its own roots, as it is afraid of waterlogging.

Substrate

The soil should easily pass water and air, pH not higher than 6.5. A mixture of leaf humus, turf soil with a large amount of coarse river sand or perlite to improve drainage and small pieces of charcoal is suitable. You can use a ready-made substrate for cacti and succulents. The soil should contain up to half the volume of drainage material.

Feeding

Feed with a high-potassium liquid cactus and succulent fertilizer every month from spring through fall, diluting the fertilizer to half the recommended dose.

Flowering time

Spring Summer.

Air humidity

At any time of the year, the air should be dry; pyrrhocactus does not need spraying. Provide the plant with a place where there is sufficient air circulation. 

Soil moisture

Water regularly during the warm season; allow the soil to dry to ½ depth before each subsequent watering. In winter, simply do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Try not to water in cloudy or rainy weather. 

Transplant

Adult plants need to be replanted approximately every 2-3 years, in the spring.

Reproduction

With stem cuttings, the cut site should be dried for several days. Rooting is carried out in damp sand and takes 3 to 8 weeks. Seeds, which are slightly pressed into the substrate in the spring. The seedlings are covered with glass and placed in a warm place - about 25 ° C. Reproduction is difficult and often only possible by specialists.

Pests and diseases

Rotting in the absence of good drainage. When kept warm all year round, the cactus continues to grow during the winter, and since the weather is cloudy at this time, it lacks light and the stem becomes thinner.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.