Ariocarpus FURFURACEUS

Ariocarpus FURFURACEUS - Scurfy Living Rock, Ariocarpus furfuraceus, Ariocarpus RETUSUS 'FURFURACEUS', Living Rock, Anhalonium FURFURACEUM.

Ariocarpus is a genus of distinctive and very original plants in the Cactaceae family, whose flattened-globose stems, covered with spineless triangular tubercles, resemble leafy rosettes. They develop powerful turnip-like taproots. The diameter and height of plants vary from 2-5 cm (0.8-2 in) to 25-30 cm (10-12 in).

All Ariocarpus species are included on protected lists, and some are very rare in nature. The plants inhabit rocky hillsides in the partial shade of shrubs and grasses at elevations of 200 to 2400 m (650 to 7900 ft) above sea level. Infrequent but usually torrential rains fall here from June to September, precipitation is occasionally possible in late autumn, and winter and early spring are dry. Abundant dew helps the cacti survive dry periods. Mature Ariocarpus are the ornament of any collection, and moreover they develop quite well in cultivation - on sunny windows or in a greenhouse. However, the cacti grow very slowly, so to accelerate development they are most often grown grafted.

Ariocarpus furfuraceus is a comparatively large species up to 10-13 cm (4-5.1 in) long and slightly over 20 cm (8 in) in diameter. It has triangular tubercles and a rough surface, for which it was named. Flowers are bell-shaped, white or cream-colored.

Usually no special tricks are required when sowing Ariocarpus, although some specialists recommend cold stratification for 2-3 weeks at a temperature of 5-6 °C (41-43 °F). During cold treatment, after-ripening of seeds occurs, as underdeveloped embryo tissues are often observed in them.

Seeds are mixed with moist sand (3 parts sand to 1 part seeds) and the container is placed in a refrigerator without covering with a lid. The substrate for seedlings, unlike that for adult plants, should be more nutrient-rich and may consist of leaf mold and sand, or peat and sand (1:1). It is advisable to make the top layer (about 0.5 cm (0.2 in) thick) from coarse sand, brick, or expanded clay grit. Sterilization of the substrate is an essential requirement before sowing. Sowing containers are soaked with water, and the seeds are pressed lightly into the substrate without covering them with anything on top. The tray with crops is covered with glass or film and kept in a semi-shaded place at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). It is good if the nighttime temperature drops to 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). The first Ariocarpus sprouts appear after a week, and mass germination is observed over the subsequent 10 days, although solitary seeds may still germinate throughout the year.

Young seedlings develop relatively quickly and already form 2-3 tubercles after 3-4 months. During these first months of seedling life, their development must be monitored very carefully to prevent the spread of rot or mold. If this happens nevertheless, the sowing containers should be opened immediately and the substrate completely dried before the next watering, or the seedlings pricked out into fresh soil. If the sprouts develop without problems, it is recommended to keep them hermetically sealed from a year to a year and a half, since young Ariocarpus respond very favorably to being kept in a stuffy, humid environment at room temperature and diffused sunlight.

After 12 or 18 months in a closed container, Ariocarpus seedlings should be gradually accustomed to dry air. Seedlings are pricked out into a loose, water-permeable substrate consisting, for example, of leaf mold, turf soil, and sand with the addition of fine gravel or expanded clay (1:1:1:2), pH around 6. Usually Ariocarpus are not finicky in care; in summer they are watered on par with other cacti, and in winter kept dry at a temperature of 6-10 °C (43-50 °F). Depending on the species, Ariocarpus bloom from late summer to late autumn, and the fruits ripen in early spring of the following year. Fruits are smooth fleshy berries of rounded or elongated shape, 0.5-2 cm (0.2-0.8 in) long. They are white, greenish, or reddish, juicy at first, wrinkling and disintegrating upon ripening, scattering seeds in the apical wool.

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Ariocarpus is an unpretentious plant whose care will not cause problems even for beginner growers. This cactus needs bright diffused light. The daylight hours should be at least 12 hours a day. Growing temperature in summer does not play a major role. In winter, however, it should be lowered to 12-15 °C (54-59 °F), but not below 8 °C (46 °F), as the plant perishes at that temperature. Watering is barely needed. It is carried out only when the soil in the pot is completely dry. During dormancy, watering is not carried out at all. Settled water at room temperature is used. Water directly onto the soil so water does not get on the shoot. Misting is also contraindicated, as it can cause rot.

For planting, sandy soils are chosen that have practically no humus; sometimes coarse river sand is simply used. To protect against rot, charcoal and fine pebbles or brick chips are mixed into the substrate. Planting in a clay pot is desirable because fewer moisture problems arise that way. The top of the soil should also be covered with small stones. Fertilizer is applied a couple of times a year during the growing season. It is best to use a mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents. If space in the pot becomes limited, repotting is carried out. However, this must be approached very carefully, as Ariocarpus has a delicate taproot system. Before repotting, the soil is dried out, and the procedure itself is carried out with the root ball intact.