Aylostera FIEBRIGII

Aylostera is a genus of plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising according to various sources from 10 to 30 species. In nature, it grows at high altitudes, in crevices and hollows on mountain slopes, accustomed to sharp daily temperature fluctuations. The genus is close to Rebutia, but unlike it, possesses cylindrical stems in the adult state, bristles on the floral tube, and a style fused along half its length with the floral tube. A number of authors treat the genus Aylostera as a subgenus of Rebutia.

Members of the genus are small plants up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter, ovoid or cylindrical in shape, covered with dense fine spines, and forming many offsets. The plant has 11–25 ribs divided into small tubercles. Spines are white, fine, setaceous, about 0.5 cm (0.2 in) long. Central spines are longer, up to 2 cm (0.8 in). Flowers are solitary, orange or red, funnel-shaped, up to 4 cm (1.6 in) in diameter; the style is fused with the floral tube, and the tube is covered with hairs.

Aylosteras are quite undemanding, grow well on their own roots, and flower abundantly, which makes them popular in indoor horticulture. They are actively used in container arrangements.

Aylostera fiebrigii is a greenish-glaucous cactus whose coloration distinctly displays bluish hues. The needle-like spines are long and arranged radially; central spines change color to beige. Red flowers sit on violet pedicels and tubes.

Before sowing, seeds are disinfected for 10 minutes in a weak potassium permanganate solution, then air-dried and sown on the surface of a sterilized substrate consisting of leaf mold (fully rotted), washed river sand, and finely crushed charcoal in a 1:1:0.5 ratio; good drainage is mandatory. The sowing is moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in the sun, at a temperature of 15–20 °C (59–68 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and desiccation of sowings must be avoided.

Seedlings emerge within 7–14 days. The maximum germination period can exceed 30 days. After 2–3 true spines appear, seedlings are pricked out into appropriately sized containers; the next repotting is carried out the following year. Only when a seedling reaches 2 years of age can it be cared for like an adult plant, but acclimatization to maintenance conditions must be gradual. Young seedlings require good lighting, but direct sunlight should be avoided.

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Under indoor conditions, Aylostera needs good lighting and fresh air. It prefers bright direct light without shading. The cacti receive the best illumination when kept openly on southeast and south-facing balconies and windows, and slightly less on east and west-facing ones. If the plant is kept on a northern window, then due to insufficient light it loses its natural appearance, stretches, and fails to bloom, so artificial supplementary lighting is necessary in the summer period.

In summer, the plant is kept at a temperature of 25–35 °C (77–95 °F), preferably outdoors; if that is not possible, room airing is desirable. If there were few sunny days during the autumn-winter period, then in spring, to prevent sunburn, the plant should be gradually acclimatized to direct sunlight. In autumn, it is necessary to gradually lower the air temperature to provide the plant with a dormancy period.

During dormancy, keeping in a cool, dry, and bright room is necessary, with an optimal temperature of 6–10 °C (43–50 °F). At higher temperatures, plants stretch, become overgrown with numerous lateral shoots, and flower poorly. Adherence to the temperature regime in the autumn-winter period is very important, because warm air combined with low light prevents the cactus from entering dormancy and can lead to deformation.

Watering in summer is carried out regularly, as soon as the substrate in the pot dries out. Watering water must be well settled and preferably acidified with citric acid at a rate of 0.5 teaspoon per 7 liters of water. From mid-September to mid-May, watering is stopped completely; only young plants with a diameter of less than 1 cm (0.4 in) are watered. Watering resumes when daytime temperatures settle above +20 °C (68 °F).

The plant can be fed once a month with the onset of growth using specialized cactus fertilizers; no fertilizer is applied during the dormancy period to avoid undesirable growth. It is important to remember that the nitrogen level in mineral fertilizers must be lower than the other elements, as excess nitrogen can trigger root rot; as a rule, a ratio such as nitrogen (N) - 9, phosphorus (P) - 18, potassium (K) - 24 can be maintained.

An exact time for repotting cannot be specified, as it depends on geographic location, annual climatic variations, where your collection is located - on an enclosed windowsill, in an exterior window greenhouse, or in a conservatory - and even on the directional orientation of your window. You should gauge the moment when your plants "plump up" and begin to push new growth. That will be the best time for repotting. It is only necessary to consider that early-flowering species should be repotted after blooming.

Young plants are repotted annually only if necessary; mature specimens every 3–4 years. Before repotting cacti, the soil in the pot must dry out; they are transplanted from dry soil into dry soil as well. Watering after repotting should only begin after 5–7 days; during this time, it is best to place the cactus in a shaded spot. The soil should be nutritious, water- and air-permeable. For example, the following mix can be used: 1 part coarse river sand, 1 part peat, 3 parts leaf mold. Soil particle diameter up to 3–5 mm (0.1–0.2 in).

Aylostera is propagated by seeds and by rooting lateral offsets - "pups".