Submatucana

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Peru.

Description. Submatucans are miniature cacti with a green or bluish-green spherical stem. Ribs indistinct, usually vertical. Tubercles, low. Lateral processes appear rarely. The length, color and shape of the spines are very variable. Some species have no spines at all, while others are densely covered with straight, long spines. In summer, large, bright flowers about 6 cm in diameter appear at the top of the plant, on very long flower tubes covered with sparse white pubescence. The colors of the flowers range from yellow to orange, pink and red. The long petals often have a silky sheen.

Height. Does not exceed 20 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

The optimal temperature range during the growth period is 24 - 26 ° C. In the winter months, a dormant regime sets in, which the submatucana should spend in a cool room with a temperature of 12 - 14 ° C. Do not expose plants to temperatures below 10 ° C. It is advisable to provide a daily temperature difference during spring and summer. 

Lighting

Submatucana needs light shade on hot summer days; the rest of the time she will happily bathe in the sun's rays.

Care

It is quite easy to grow indoors and is only afraid of waterlogging in the cold season.

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.

Feeding

Feed monthly during the spring and summer with a succulent or cactus fertilizer diluted to half the recommended dose. In the fall, feeding is stopped.

Purpose

A very striking representative of the cactus family, which is also distinguished by its small size and ease of care.

Flowering time

Summer, only mature plants bloom. With proper care, re-blooming may occur.

Air humidity

Does not require spraying. The submatucana should be placed in a well-ventilated area with good air circulation.

Soil moisture

In spring and summer, the soil should dry out to a depth of about 5 cm between waterings. In autumn, watering is gradually reduced and in winter the plant is kept in almost completely dry soil. Small wrinkles on the stem will indicate the need for watering during this period.

Transfer

Submatucana is replanted in the spring, every 2 - 3 years to change the soil. For planting, select a deep pot with large drainage holes. It is advisable to use unglazed clay pots, the walls of which allow moisture and air to pass through. When planting, the root collar is surrounded by a layer of fine gravel for better moisture drainage. After transplantation, watering is resumed only after 7 - 10 days. 

Reproduction

Seeds, but this process will take several years. Lateral shoots and grafting.

Pests and diseases

Root rot due to excessive watering, especially during the dormant period, when the temperature is reduced. When kept warm in winter, the cactus does not stop growing and can become deformed in conditions of lack of light.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.