Frailea

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Brazil.

Description. Frailea is a very variable species. Charming miniature cacti with spherical or ovoid stems, rarely forming lateral shoots. The tops of the stems are often flattened; with age they can acquire a cylindrical shape. The shades of the shoots are very diverse and include green, bluish, brown and burgundy. The ribs are shallow, vertical or arranged in a spiral. Depending on the species, the tubercles can be almost flat or pointed, clearly defined. The spines are straight, short, and in some cacti they are absent. At the top of the stem, a very fluffy cephalium sometimes forms, on which yellow, wide-open flowers up to 4 cm in diameter appear. The flowers often completely hide the stem.

Height. In most cases it does not exceed 10 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

A heat-loving cactus that can easily tolerate even extreme heat with adequate watering. During the winter it is dormant and should be moved to a cool place - about 10° C.

Lighting

Provide maximum sunlight, avoiding direct sunlight on hot summer days. Frailea can be grown in partial shade, but this will inevitably affect flowering. 

Care

A fairly unpretentious species that does not require much time and effort, but it should be gradually accustomed to changes in temperature and lighting.

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. Tolerates nutrient-poor soils. 

Feeding

After transplanting into fresh soil, it does not need any additional feeding during the first season - those already in the substrate are enough. Feed only during the period of active growth with fertilizers for cacti and succulents with a high content of calcium and phosphorus monthly, diluting the fertilizer to half the recommended dose. In winter, stop feeding.

Flowering time

Spring – summer, blooms at the age of 2 or more years.

Air humidity

Does not require spraying if kept at normal room temperature. In summer, if the daytime temperature exceeds 25 - 27 ° C, you can lightly spray it in the morning so that the stem dries out before dusk. 

Soil moisture

In winter, try not to dry out the earthen ball, and as growth begins, watering is gradually increased. The top layer of soil, about 5 cm thick, should dry out between waterings. Excess water accumulated in the pan after watering is drained immediately. 

Transplant

Adult specimens need to be replanted every 2-3 years, in the spring. For planting, use pots with large drainage holes. After replanting in fresh soil, stop watering for a few days.

Reproduction

Seeds that are sown on the surface of the soil in the spring, lightly pressing them with fingertips. Sometimes children are separated if they appear near the mother plant or side shoots are used as cuttings, but they appear quite rarely. Vaccinations. 

Pests and diseases

The cactus may lose roots if the soil remains dry or too wet for too long.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.

Note

Sometimes with age it loses its decorative appearance and is replaced by a new seedling.