Acanthocalycium BREVISPINUM

Acanthocalycium BREVISPINUM - Short-spined acanthocalycium, Acanthocalycium brevispinum, Acanthocalycium THIONANTHUM, Echinopsis CHIONANTHA.

Acanthocalycium is a genus of plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae) from Northern Argentina, comprising about 12 species. In their natural environment, the plants inhabit mountain meadows at altitudes of up to 1,000 m (3,280 ft) above sea level.

Plants are solitary, globose or slightly cylindrical, up to 60 cm (24 in) in height and up to 15 cm (5.9 in) in diameter, with 9-20 slightly wavy ribs. The stem is colored in green, dark blue, gray, or glaucous tones. Areoles are located at the tops of tubercles and contain 5-10 radial and 1-4 central stiff, resilient spines up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long, colored gray, yellow, reddish, or black.

Flowers appear from May to September, funnel-shaped, up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in diameter, arranged in a lush crown. Petals range from white to delicate violet, the perianth is lemon yellow. Fruits are dark green, globose, up to 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter, containing large dark seeds.

Short-spined acanthocalycium has short, stiff spines; yellow flowers develop laterally. Like other species, the plant requires careful attention to watering, which must cease when the temperature drops to 4 °C (39 °F).

A fungicide solution at the recommended concentration is poured into the tray. After the substrate is moistened, seeds are sown on the surface, misted with a spray bottle, and covered with film. Germination is carried out in light (not in direct sun) at a temperature of 20-22 °C (68-72 °F) with regular ventilation. Overdrying and waterlogging are not permitted.

Seedlings appear in 7-14 days. The maximum possible germination period is up to 30 days. After 6 months or upon the emergence of the first spines, seedlings are transplanted into individual 5-cm (2.0 in) pots or into nursery trays at a distance of 1 cm (0.4 in) from each other. Young plants develop steadily and evenly.

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Acanthocalycium is placed in a well-lit location, preferably on a south- or southwest-facing window. With insufficient light, the stem etiolates and spines become weak. In summer, moving the plant outdoors into fresh air is recommended. Shading is not required in greenhouses.

Summer temperature is maintained within 20-38 °C (68-100 °F) with good ventilation. In winter, a temperature of 6-10 °C (43-50 °F) is preferred, with a minimum of 4 °C (39 °F). Watering in summer is carried out approximately once every 2 weeks, slightly more often when using small pots. In winter, watering is completely excluded, but light top misting once every 2 months is permissible.

A substrate of 2 parts clayey or lean soil and 1 part coarse sand is used. Repotting is carried out in spring. Up to a pot diameter of 13 cm (5.1 in), it is repotted annually, then as needed (once every 8-10 years). Fertilizers are applied once a month in spring and summer, using fertilizers with higher potassium content. Full flowering requires bright sun. As a rule, the plant begins to bloom at the age of 4 years upon reaching 7-8 cm (2.8-3.1 in) in diameter.