Ariocarpus FISSURATUS

Ariocarpus FISSURATUS - Living rock cactus, False peyote, Ariocarpus fissuratus.

Ariocarpus is a genus of distinctive and highly original plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), whose flattened-globose stems, covered with triangular tubercles lacking spines, resemble leafy rosettes. They develop massive taproots. The diameter and height of the plants vary from 2-5 cm (0.8-2.0 in) to 25-30 cm (9.8-11.8 in).

All species of Ariocarpus are included in lists of protected plants, and some are very rare in nature. The plants inhabit rocky hillsides in the partial shade of shrubs and grasses, at an altitude of 200 to 2400 m (656 to 7874 ft) above sea level. Infrequent but usually heavy rains fall here from June to September, occasionally precipitation is possible in late autumn, and in winter and early spring it is dry. Copious dew helps cacti survive the dry period. Adult ariocarpus plants are an ornament to any collection; in addition, they develop well in cultivation - on sunny windowsills or in a greenhouse. However, these cacti grow very slowly, so to accelerate development they are most often grown grafted.

Living rock cactus - by virtue of its dense shoot, resembles a stone composed of limestone. The stem is deeply sunken into the ground and protrudes only slightly, with the visible side cloaked in woolly hairs, making the plant look more attractive. The fact that it is indeed a plant and not a rock is revealed by a large purple or pink flower.

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

Seeds are mixed with damp sand (3 parts sand to 1 part seeds) and the container is placed in a refrigerator without covering. The substrate for seedlings, unlike that for adult plants, should be more nutrient-rich and can consist of leaf mold and sand, or peat and sand (1:1). The upper layer (about 0.5 cm / 0.2 in thick) is better made of coarse sand, brick, or expanded clay grit. Sterilization of the substrate is an essential condition before sowing. Sowing containers are soaked with water, and seeds are lightly pressed into the substrate without covering from above. The sowing dish is covered with glass or film and kept in a semi-shaded place at 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). It is beneficial if night temperatures drop to 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). First sprouts of ariocarpus appear after a week, and mass germination is observed over the next 10 days, although individual seeds can germinate for up to a year.

Young seedlings develop relatively quickly and after 3-4 months already form 2-3 tubercles each. During these first months of seedling life, their development must be monitored very carefully to prevent rot or mold. If this happens, sowing containers should be opened immediately and the substrate completely dried out before the next watering, or seedlings pricked out into fresh soil. If seedlings develop without issues, keeping them hermetically sealed from one to one and a half years is recommended, as young ariocarpus plants respond very positively to a humid environment at room temperature and diffuse sunlight.

After 12 or 18 months of sealed containment, ariocarpus seedlings should be gradually accustomed to dry air. Seedlings are pricked out into a loose, permeable substrate consisting, for example, of leaf mold, sod soil, and sand with added fine gravel or expanded clay (1:1:1:2), pH around 6. Usually ariocarpus plants are not fussy in care: in summer they are watered alongside other cacti, in winter kept dry at 6-10 °C (43-50 °F). Depending on the species, ariocarpus blooms from late summer to late autumn, and 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, shriveling and breaking apart upon ripening, scattering seeds into the apical wool.

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Ariocarpus is an undemanding plant whose care will not pose difficulties even for beginner growers. This cactus needs bright indirect light. At the same time, daylight hours should be at least 12 hours a day. Growing temperature in summer plays little 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 dies at that temperature. Watering is almost unnecessary. It is carried out only when the soil in the pot dries completely. During dormancy, no watering is done at all. Settled water at room temperature is used. Water is applied directly to the soil so moisture does not touch the shoot. Spraying is also contraindicated, as it can cause rot.

For planting, choose sandy soils with virtually no humus, or simply use coarse river sand. To protect against rot, mix charcoal and fine pebbles or brick chips into the substrate. Planting in a clay pot is desirable, as fewer humidity issues arise. The top of the soil should also be covered with small stones. Fertilizer is applied a couple of times a year during active growth. It is best to use mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents. If space in the pot runs out, repotting is carried out. However, this must be approached very carefully, as ariocarpus has a delicate root system. Before repotting, the soil is dried out, and the procedure itself is carried out together with the root ball.