Rebutia

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Bolivia, Argentina.

Description. Rebutia is a very large genus, often found in collections. Depending on the species, it is a single cactus with a dark green spherical stem, slightly flattened at the top, or a cluster of small cacti. The ribs are numerous but shallow, often arranged in a spiral. The needles are strong, straight, densely covering the stem, gray or golden-brown. Unlike other cacti, the flowers appear at the bottom of the stems; they are large, colorful - orange, yellow, pink, cream, white or lilac, funnel-shaped, up to 4 - 6 cm in diameter. The flower tubes are long, covered with sparse bristles.

Height. It grows slowly and reaches a height of 15 cm.

Caring at home

Diseases and pests 

Like all cacti, they rot due to insufficient drainage and stagnation of moisture.

Among the harmful insects, the most common are spider mites, scale insects, and mealybugs. 

Containment temperature

In spring and summer, the usual room temperature is about 20 ° C. If possible, organize a difference between day and night temperatures. Wintering should take place at a temperature of 6 - 8 ° C. It can withstand short frosts if it is in dry soil.

When does bloom?

In indoor culture it blooms profusely and readily in spring and summer. Repeat flowering is possible in autumn. 

Reproduction 

Seeds are sown in spring. Pots are placed in a warm place without direct sunlight. Plants will bloom for the first time in 2-3 years. Can be propagated by lateral shoots, which are rooted in wet sand with peat, after drying the cut site.

Lighting

In the morning and evening the shoots can bathe in the sun's rays, but during the day they should be shaded from too hot a sun. Good lighting promotes abundant flowering.

Watering 

In spring and summer, water abundantly, but in such a way that the soil dries out to 1/3 of the depth before each subsequent watering. In the fall, watering is reduced and in the winter months it simply prevents the substrate from drying out completely.

Transplant 

Adult specimens are replanted every 2-3 years. Rebutia prefers slightly cramped conditions. After replanting, watering is stopped for 7-10 days.

Soil

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. Drainage materials must make up at least 40 percent of the total volume of the mixture. 

Feeding

In spring and summer, feed with a water-soluble fertilizer, diluting it to half the recommended dose.

Spraying 

Does not require spraying. Prefers places with a constant flow of fresh air, but without cold drafts. 

Purpose

A beautiful and easy-to-bloom compact cactus. 

Note

Be careful when working with the plant - rebutia has sharp spines.

Varieties:

Rebutia minuscula

Miniature flattened cacti - solitary or with numerous lateral processes. The stems are green, covered with numerous tubercles, often arranged in a spiral. The spines are straight, light, 1 - 5 mm long. The flowers are brightly colored, funnel-shaped, with numerous thin petals, located on the side of the stems on a long floral tube. Petal colors include yellow, orange, red, pink, white, and cream. 

Rebutia heliosa

A miniature cactus with many shoots, densely covered with areoles bearing short spines. The stems are cylindrical, with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm. The root system is powerful, turnip-shaped. The flowers are bright orange, 4 - 5 cm in diameter, appear abundantly in the upper part of the stems. 

Rebutia (Aylostera) muscula

Globular or club-shaped cacti with numerous lateral processes. The stems are green, covered with conical tubercles. The spines are light, straight, thin, and almost completely hide the plant stem. The flowers appear on the side of the stem, are funnel-shaped, colored orange, less often white and red, reaching 2 - 3 cm in diameter. 

Rebutia senilis

Flattened small cacti, often not exceeding 7 cm in height, form large colonies with age. The stems are green, covered with small, numerous ribs arranged in a spiral. The spines are light - white or orange, straight, reaching a length of 5 - 30 mm. Bright, funnel-shaped flowers appear at the side of the stems, often even closer to the base of the plant, reaching 3.5 cm in diameter. The petals can be colored white, yellow, pink or red.