Notocactus OTTONIS 'LINKII' FR1265

Notocactus OTTONIS 'LINKII' FR1265 - Otto's ball cactus 'Linkii' FR1265, Parodia ottonis.

Notocactus is, according to outdated classification, a modest genus of plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising several species. According to modern classification, they belong to Parodia.

In nature, such cacti can be encountered on highlands as well as in the foothills of Paraguay, Southern Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. They are distinguished by a solitary stem of short-cylindrical or spherical shape. In mature specimens, it can reach no more than 100 cm (39.4 in) in height. In most cases, such cacti lack both branches and offsets. Distinctly ribbed stems possess a dark green color. At the crest of the ribs there are numerous small tubercles bearing pubescent areoles. Tufts of spines emerge from the areoles, which include 1 to 5 brownish-red central spines and up to 40 short yellow radial ones.

Most representatives are distinguished by blooming early and abundantly with large flowers. As a rule, flowers are formed in the upper part of the stem or at its apex. The flower itself is multi-petaled and possesses the shape of a bell or funnel. On the surface of the thick, short, fleshy pedicel there is a layer consisting of numerous spines and bristles. The flower color can be orange, red, or yellow, with the petal bases being a contrasting or more saturated color. The stigmas in most cases are reddish. The flower, after opening, withers only after 7 days.

Otto's ball cactus is distinguished by a flattened-spherical stem 5-11 cm (2.0-4.3 in) in diameter of a saturated bright green color. The stems can have from 8 to 12 rounded, weakly tuberculate ribs, with areoles positioned on them at a distance of about 1 cm (0.4 in) from each other. Varieties may count 10-18 needle-like yellow radial spines and 3-4 stouter reddish-brown central ones, up to 25 mm (1.0 in) long. Bright golden-yellow flowers open at the very apex. The flowers are very large, from 4 to 8 cm (1.6 to 3.1 in) in diameter.

The plant readily forms lateral shoots, and as a result the cactus forms an entire small cluster. The ribs are well-defined, obtuse, rather broad. The rigid spines are slightly curved, colored brown with an admixture of red. Flowering time is spring.

When propagating by seeds, they are pre-soaked for 24 hours in a weak pink solution of potassium permanganate. Seeds are planted in a substrate consisting of decomposed leaf mold, coarse-grained sand, and charcoal (1:1:1/2). Soil and seed flats must be thoroughly disinfected. In the flats, the substrate is not compacted; seeds are laid out on the surface and lightly dusted with sand. Moistening can be done by bottom watering or from a spray bottle. They are covered with glass and placed in a bright (but not direct sunlight) and warm spot. It is necessary to maintain a temperature of 25-27 °C (77-81 °F). They are constantly ventilated and misted. Seedlings appear in 10-15 days. During this time, daytime temperature is maintained not lower than 28 °C (82 °F), while nighttime temperature can fluctuate within 3-5 °C (37-41 °F).

The first pricking out is carried out after 1.5-2 months into a sterile substrate and container. The second is performed when the seedlings have begun forming spines or start crowding each other. For this, boxes with a sterile, loose, and somewhat more nutritious soil mix than for sowing are prepared. The third pricking out, whose timing under favorable conditions arrives approximately after a month to a month and a half, is carried out as follows. Seedlings are dried for several days, after which specimens with weak roots are transplanted as usual. In those specimens where one or several long strong roots are developing, the roots must be shortened by approximately half. They should be planted into a dry mixture.

Boxes with pricked-out seedlings are kept open for two to three days, after which they are placed into flats with transparent covers or into plastic bags. The flats are placed in a greenhouse or on a windowsill well warmed by the sun, depending on the season, location, and room conditions. In this manner, seedlings are kept without watering for another one to two weeks. In a warm, dry spot, wounds on the roots heal quickly and adventitious root initials form. The first watering must be done with a weak solution of heteroauxin. After about two days, the seedlings begin growing, visibly develop good roots, and start growing quickly. The fourth pricking out is performed similarly to the third. The care regime is the same, with the only difference being that two to three weeks after the first watering, some seedlings are transitioned to harsher conditions. After the fourth pricking out, seedlings are acclimated to room air humidity, removing the cover temporarily and then removing it entirely.

The pricking out procedure should be performed carefully, with tweezers or a specially prepared stick. Sowings are watered only after several days with boiled water. All the while the seedlings are germinating and then growing, careful daily inspection of the plants is also necessary; this helps prevent their death from various rots in time. In the first two years, young plants are gradually acclimated to light, watered without drying out the root ball, and in autumn-winter months kept at a temperature higher than adult plants at the same time. They are usually watered generously and kept in mini-greenhouses in uniformly moist soil.

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Notocacti prefer a large amount of bright light, but they need to be acclimated to spring sun gradually. In summer, it is better to shade during the hottest sunny hours. For cultivation, moderate or warm temperature is preferable, around 22-23 °C (72-73 °F). In winter, a dormancy period should be arranged at a temperature of 10-12 °C (50-54 °F), minimum 10 °C (50 °F), with dry maintenance.

Notocacti, like all other cacti, greatly need fresh air. Therefore, for the summer it is best to take them out into the garden or onto a balcony and leave them there until autumn. Round-the-clock stay in fresh air throughout the summer period especially tempers and strengthens cacti, increasing resistance to diseases and pests. Generous watering is carried out in spring and summer, reduced from autumn, and in winter reduced to rare soil moistening. Notocacti are resistant to dry air. From late spring to mid-summer, they are fed with special fertilizer for cacti.

Repotting is carried out annually or every other year for young plants, while older ones are repotted every one to two years. Soil: 1 part turf soil, 1 part leaf mold, 1 part peat soil, 1 part sand, and crushed brick. For mature and older cacti, turf soil makes up 2 parts.