Blossfeldia CYATHIFORMIS

Blossfeldia CYATHIFORMIS - Cup-shaped blossfeldia, Blossfeldia cyathiformis, Blossfeldia LILIPUTANA.

Blossfeldia is a genus of cacti in the family Cactaceae, uniting the smallest representatives of the family. The plants originate from Argentina and Bolivia, where they occur in deep rock crevices and on mountain ledges at altitudes of up to 2500 meters (8200 feet) above sea level, usually in shaded areas protected from direct sun.

The stems are dark green, globose, only 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) across, completely devoid of ribs and spines. Areoles are pubescent primarily at the apex of the stem and arranged in a spiral. Lateral shoots are initiated under the epidermis and do not appear immediately; over time, the plants form densely compressed clumps.

Flower buds are initiated long before flowering, and already in autumn their bright bead-like buds are noticeable on the surface of the stems. Under good lighting, numerous small cream-white funnel-shaped flowers open. The fruits are yellowish-green, globose, 0.2-0.8 cm (0.08-0.31 in) across, with short light bristles. The seeds are dust-like, light brown, forming without cross-pollination.

Blossfeldia cyathiformis is a tiny cactus with a dark green shiny stem up to 15 mm (0.6 in) across, forming dense clumps over time. The stem is completely devoid of ribs, tubercles, and spines; the areoles look like microscopic white specks.

The flowers are small, sessile, 5-7 mm (0.2-0.3 in) across, white and delicate, with translucent rounded petals. The fruits are yellowish-green, globose, with dust-like seeds inside.

Blossfeldia seeds are dust-like, light brown, among the smallest in the family Cactaceae. Soaking them is impossible and unnecessary, so the substrate itself is sanitized: before sowing, it is drenched with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and dried slightly. To awaken the seeds, they are placed for a week in a cold environment at a temperature of 5-8 °C (41-46 °F).

Sowing is carried out on the surface without burying into cactus substrate half-diluted with fine sand. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a growth stimulant solution: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon, covered with film or placed in a greenhouse, and germinated in the light, but not in direct sun.

The germination temperature is maintained in the range of 25-30 °C (77-86 °F): at temperatures below 27 °C (81 °F), the risk of rot development, the most dangerous enemy of cactus seedlings, increases noticeably. Sowings require daily airing; both waterlogging and drying out of the surface are unacceptable.

Under favorable conditions, the first seedlings appear within 1-2 weeks; the main germination is usually completed within a month, while individual seeds may be delayed longer. Blossfeldia seedlings are extremely tiny and grow very slowly, so pricking out is carried out no earlier than when they have noticeably strengthened, with minimal damage to the roots.

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In summer, Blossfeldia needs a slightly shaded spot - in nature it grows in rock crevices protected from direct sun, and in open bright light it easily gets sunburned.

In winter, the plant is kept almost dry at a temperature of 10-12 °C (50-54 °F).

Watering in summer is moderate or limited, only after the substrate has dried out completely. An excess of moisture is more dangerous for this cactus than drought.

The substrate is composed of leaf humus (20%), turf loam (40%), and a mineral component (40%) - coarse sand, gravel, and crushed brick, with an acidity around pH 5.8. Drainage is placed at the bottom of the pot.

Fertilizing is carried out very moderately during the period of active growth with heavily diluted cactus fertilizer. During the dormancy period, fertilizers are not applied.