Ariocarpus CONFUSUS

Ariocarpus CONFUSUS - Confused living rock cactus, Ariocarpus confusus.

Ariocarpus is a genus of distinctive and very original plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), whose flattened-globular stems, covered with spineless triangular tubercles, resemble leafy rosettes. They develop stout turnip-like 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 2,400 m (656 to 7,874 ft) above sea level. Infrequent but typically torrential rains occur here from June to September, with precipitation occasionally possible in late autumn, while winter and early spring remain dry. Heavy dew helps the cacti survive the arid period. Mature ariocarpus plants are the ornament of any collection, and moreover, they develop quite well in culture - on sunny windowsills or in a greenhouse. However, these cacti grow very slowly, so to speed up development they are most often grown grafted.

Confused living rock cactus has a rounded stem of bluish-olive or gray-green color, 10-12 cm (3.9-4.7 in) in diameter, with white or brownish-woolly tomentum at the apex. The tubercles are three-angled, slightly convex, with a broad base, pointed. Flowers are up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter, ranging from white to pale pink. The fruits are white, green, or rarely pink, 1-2.5 cm (0.4-1.0 in) in length and between 0.3-1 cm (0.1-0.4 in) in diameter.

Usually when sowing ariocarpus, no 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, after-ripening of the seeds occurs, as they often exhibit underdeveloped embryo tissues.

The seeds are mixed with moist sand (3 parts sand to 1 part seeds) and the container is placed in a refrigerator without covering it with a lid. The substrate for seedlings, unlike that for adult plants, should be more nutritious and can consist of leaf mold and sand, or peat and sand (1:1). The upper layer (approximately 0.5 cm (0.2 in) thick) is more expediently made of coarse sand, crushed brick, or expanded clay grit. Substrate sterilization is a mandatory condition before sowing. Sowing dishes are soaked with water, and the seeds are lightly pressed into the substrate without covering them with anything from above. The flat with sowings is covered with glass or film and kept in a semi-shaded spot at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). It is good if the temperature drops at night to 18-20 °C (64-68 °F). The first ariocarpus seedlings appear after a week, and mass germination is observed over the subsequent 10 days, although solitary 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, one must monitor their development very closely to prevent the development of rot or mold. If this nevertheless happens, the sowing containers should be opened immediately and the substrate completely dried out before the next watering, or the seedlings pricked out into new soil. If the sprouts develop without problems, it is recommended to keep them hermetically sealed for a year to a year and a half, since young ariocarpus react very favorably to maintenance in a humid enclosed environment at room temperature and diffused sunlight.

After 12 or 18 months of maintenance in a closed container, the ariocarpus seedlings must be gradually acclimated 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). Ariocarpus bloom, depending on the species, from late summer to late autumn, and the fruits ripen in early spring of the following year. The 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, initially juicy, and upon ripening wrinkle and disintegrate, scattering seeds into 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 lighting. Furthermore, the daylight hours should be at least 12 hours a day. The summer growing temperature does not play a major role. In winter, however, it should be lowered to 12-15 °C (54-59 °F), but not lower than 8 °C (46 °F), because at this temperature the plant perishes. Waterings are barely needed. They are carried out only when the soil in the pot is completely dry. During the dormancy period, watering is not conducted at all. Settled water at room temperature is used. Water directly onto the soil so that water does not touch the shoot. Spraying is also contraindicated, as it can cause rot.

For planting, one chooses sandy soils containing virtually no humus, sometimes simply using coarse river sand. To protect against rot, charcoal and small pebbles or crushed brick are mixed into the substrate. Planting in a clay pot is desirable, since fewer moisture problems arise that way. The top of the soil should also be covered with small pebbles. Fertilizers are 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 becomes scarce, repotting is carried out. However, this must be approached very carefully, as Ariocarpus possesses a delicate root system. Before repotting, the soil is dried out, and the procedure itself is carried out together with the root ball.