Notocactus APRICUS

Notocactus APRICUS - Sunny notocactus, Notocactus apricus, Slender parodia, Parodia CONCINNA.

Notocactus is a genus of plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), which modern taxonomy has entirely included within the genus Parodia. The name Notocactus nevertheless remains in widespread everyday use, and seeds are almost always sold under it.

In nature, these cacti grow on highlands and in foothills of Paraguay, southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Their stem is solitary, short-cylindrical or globose, in mature specimens up to a meter (3.3 ft) in height, dark green, with well-defined ribs. Most species do not form branches or offsets. On the crests of the ribs sit numerous small tubercles with pubescent areoles, from which emerge clusters of spines: from 1 to 5 brownish-red central and up to 40 short yellow radial ones.

Notocacti bloom early and very profusely, with flowers being large relative to the size of the plant. They form in the upper part of the stem or right at the apex. The flower is multi-petaled, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped, and the thick, short, fleshy floral tube is densely covered with spines and bristles. Coloration can be yellow, orange, or red, the petal bases are usually contrasting or richer in tone, and stigmas are most often reddish. An open flower lasts about a week.

Notocactus apricus is a species with a small, slightly flattened globose stem and numerous well-defined ribs set with large curved spines.

Its main virtue is its flowers: compared to the size of the cactus itself, they are simply immense, up to 7.5 cm (3 in) across, bright yellow, silky, and blooming right at the apex. Modern taxonomy sinks this species into Parodia concinna.

Notocactus seeds are fine, dark, maturing in dry fruits at the apex of the stem. Before sowing, they are disinfected by keeping them in a weak pink solution of potassium permanganate for 24 hours. Scarification and stratification are not required.

Sowing is carried out in a substrate of completely rotted leaf soil, coarse sand, and charcoal in a 1:1:0.5 ratio. The soil and seed pans are necessarily disinfected beforehand. The substrate is not compacted; seeds are laid out on the surface and lightly sprinkled with sand. Moistening can be done by bottom watering or from a spray bottle with a growth stimulant solution: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon. The pan is covered with glass or placed in a greenhouse and positioned in a bright warm place, but not under direct rays, maintaining a temperature of 25-27 °C (77-81 °F).