Uebelmannia PECTINIFERA 'PSEUDOPECTINIFERA'

Uebelmannia PECTINIFERA 'PSEUDOPECTINIFERA' - Comb-spined uebelmannia 'Pseudopectinifera', Uebelmannia pectinifera.

A rare genus of Brazilian cacti!

The genus consists of 3 species of solitary cacti. Uebelmannia is one of the most spectacular plants in the family; it is rarely encountered among house cacti.

The stems are globose, with a flattened apex, and with age can take on a cylindrical shape. The coloration of the stems is extremely variable and includes green, yellow, brown, burgundy, and even almost black shades. The ribs are vertical, numerous, and very deep. Tubercles are not pronounced, located very densely at the crests of the ribs. Areoles often have white felt tomentum. Spines are short, straight. Small flowers appear in quantity at the top of the stem, colored in a yellow or greenish shade, opening during daytime hours and withering already the next day.

Uebelmannia pectinifera is a small solitary plant with usually unbranched globose or cylindrical stems up to 75 cm (30 in) long. The surface of the stems is smooth, warty, or covered with a granular coating. The ribs are sharp and numerous. Areoles usually have well-developed spines numbering from two to seven. Flowers are located at the apex of the stems, funnel-shaped, yellow, usually not exceeding 2.5 cm (1.0 in) in diameter. Fruits are globose or cylindrical, red or yellow, smooth, only slightly pubescent at the apex.

Before sowing, seeds are soaked in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 5-10 minutes. Then they are sown in a flat dish with sequentially poured layers of drainage 7-10 mm (0.3-0.4 in), a layer of loose leaf soil 2 cm (0.8 in), and a layer of washed river sand 1.5-2 cm (0.6-0.8 in). Seeds up to 3 mm (0.12 in) in size, especially fine, dust-like ones, are not covered with sand, but sown directly on the surface. Larger seeds can be sown in furrows no more than 3 mm (0.12 in) deep. They are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in the light at a temperature during the day around 24-28 °C (75-82 °F), at night 20-24 °C (68-75 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of sowings.

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Uebelmannia causes quite a bit of trouble for beginners and is rather suitable for experienced cactus growers. A valuable collectible species rarely found in cultivation. Indoors, flowering occurs in summer, rarely and only with competent care.

In spring and summer, the optimal temperature regime is keeping at 20-28 °C (68-82 °F). The dormant period should take place at a temperature of around 10-12 °C (50-54 °F). Plants can take sun baths during morning and evening hours. On hot summer days, it is better to shade uebelmannia. In good light, the stems take on a reddish or purple tint.

Warm and humid conditions are required during the growth period. In spring and summer, air humidity should be increased by misting plants during morning hours or with the help of a room humidifier. Make sure that moisture has evaporated from the plant before dusk falls. In the warm season, water abundantly, completely soaking the root ball; in winter months, simply protect the soil from complete drying out; it rots easily at too low a winter temperature and with excessive watering.

It prefers slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline soil with excellent drainage. Uebelmannia tolerates nutrient-poor mineral mixtures. Monthly during the growing season, feed with fertilizer for succulent plants or cacti at half concentration. During the dormant period, fertilizing is stopped.

Try to repot only when necessary, in spring. Plant specimens in clay pots whose walls easily pass moisture and air. When planting, surround the root collar with a layer of coarse sand or small pebbles for better moisture drainage. Stop watering for 5-7 days after repotting.