Copiapoa TENUISSIMA

Copiapoa TENUISSIMA - Very thin copiapoa, Slender copiapoa, Copiapoa tenuissima.

Copiapoa is a genus of succulent plants in the family Cactaceae, comprising Chilean desert cacti distributed mainly in the coastal and inland areas of the Atacama Desert. In nature, representatives of the genus occur on stony slopes, coastal terraces, gravel plains, in dry valleys, and places where precipitation is extremely scarce, while moisture from fogs and nocturnal condensation plays a significant role.

Plants usually develop as spherical, short-cylindrical, columnar, or clustering cacti with pronounced ribs, a woolly apex, and sturdy spines. The coloration of the stems is often green, gray-green, brownish-green, or glaucous, which helps the plants endure intense sun, dry air, and sharp temperature fluctuations.

Flowers in copiapoa are usually diurnal, funnel-shaped, yellow or lemon-yellow, appearing near the apex of the stem. After flowering, small fruits with small dark seeds develop. Seeds in most species are small, so during sowing they are distributed on or nearly on the surface and require careful moistening without sogginess.

Very thin copiapoa is a miniature plant with large tuberous roots. The stems range from depressed-globose to flattened, 2-5 cm (0.8-2.0 in) in diameter, dull green. The 12-16 tuberculate ribs are often arranged spirally. Abundant wool forms in the areoles, with only a few delicate grayish needle-like spines 3-8 mm (0.12-0.31 in) long. Flowers are yellow, 2-2.5 cm (0.8-1.0 in) long, closing at night.

Copiapoa seeds are small, dark, rounded or slightly oval. Germination in careful greenhouse conditions usually averages about 40-70%.

Sowing is carried out in spring or year-round in the presence of stable supplementary lighting. A sterile fine-grained mineral substrate based on sifted cactus soil, fine sand, perlite, and mineral grit is used. Seeds are distributed over the surface, lightly pressed into the moist soil, and sprinkled with a minimal layer of fine sand or not covered at all. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or biofungicide with the addition of a growth stimulant: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon. The container is covered with a transparent lid or placed in a mini-greenhouse.

Germination is carried out under bright diffused lighting and a temperature of about 20-24 °C (68-75 °F), without direct overheating under the sun. The surface is maintained moderately moist but not wet; moistening is performed only with a fine spray. Crops are ventilated daily, and condensation is removed, as stagnant moisture is particularly dangerous for copiapoa seedlings and quickly triggers fungal infections.