Turbinicarpus LAUI

Turbinicarpus LAUI - Lau's turbinicarpus, Turbinicarpus laui.

A rare collectible cactus!

Turbinicarpus is a genus of plants in the Cactus family (Cactaceae), numbering approximately 25 taxa. In some systems, the number of taxa is expanded by including the genera Gymnocactus, Neolloydia, and Pediocactus.

The genus includes a group of small, inconspicuous, mimicking plants that live predominantly in the Chihuahuan Desert in north-central Mexico. Due to their inconspicuousness, their various species and varieties were discovered only relatively recently - all known species were found in the last 50 years.

Species of this genus form a clear, very narrowly defined group. The stem shape resembles that of Lophophora, with very soft, flattened bodies that vary in color from grayish- to bluish-green to brown. Their large taproots, tapering downward, penetrate deep into the ground. In almost all cases, spines develop as paper-like, hair-like, or feathery structures; they are often very variable and usually serve more as camouflage for the plants than as protection.

The fruits are round in the shape of a spinning top, hence the name of the genus. These are naked, smooth, matte berries that rupture or split with a longitudinal slit, releasing seeds. Having a dingy color, the fruits of turbinicarpuses are probably not eaten as eagerly by birds or mammals as the conspicuous red fruits of many miniature cacti, which normally should contribute to wider plant dispersal.

Dispersal is carried out mainly by ants and wind, as well as by rain washing the seeds out, which leads only to a limited range of distribution. In colonies that arise in this way, variations are hardly encountered. They develop quickly from seeds, and even in cultivation, if there is more than one specimen for cross-pollination, they are soon surrounded by small seedlings.

Lau's turbinicarpus is a miniature cactus with a solitary stem, spherical to flattened, up to 35 mm (1.4 in) wide and up to 15 mm (0.6 in) high. The ribs are divided into tubercles arranged in 5 and 8 spirals with 3 or 4 tubercles on each. The tubercles are matte, green, conical, up to 5 mm (0.2 in) high and up to 10 mm (0.4 in) wide at the base. The areoles are about 1 mm (0.04 in) long, with dense long white wool in youth, later becoming bare.

There may be six to seven spines, sometimes with an additional upper spine. All of them are glassy, white with a blackish tip, thin, needle-like, relatively stiff, radiating outward. The lower three spines are up to 5 mm (0.2 in) long, the upper lateral spines up to 7 mm (0.28 in) long, and the upper spine about 18-22 mm (0.7-0.9 in) long.

Flowers are white or pink, 35 mm (1.4 in) wide and 18-25 mm (0.7-1.0 in) long. On the perianth segments there is a slightly darker light-pink or light-brown central stripe. On the outer petals, the brownish median stripe is located on the outer side. The pistil is white to light cherry-colored, the stigma with 3-6 whitish lobes, above which the anthers rise.

Seeds are pre-soaked for 24 hours in a weak potassium permanganate solution, then sown on the surface without burying into a cactus soil mix diluted halfway with sand. They are moistened from a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F). Seedlings need ventilation. It is necessary to avoid waterlogging and drying out of the sowings.

Some species begin germinating as early as the next day, others after a week. Pricking out is recommended after one month. After this procedure, it is important to increase the light level while avoiding sunburn.

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Turbinicarpus species are light-loving plants. Although they prefer sunlight, they also do very well under fluorescent lamps.

These cacti are not spoiled by moisture in nature, so at home one should also limit the number of watering sessions. They are watered carefully and moderately in spring and autumn twice a month, and in summer once every 10 days. They overwinter dry in a cool place. Heavy and frequent waterings are fatal to the plants.

Feed no more than twice during the growing season. It is important to use special cactus fertilizers.

They can be grown either in individual deep containers or in communal dishes. They do not require rich soil; the main requirement for the substrate is air and moisture permeability. In addition to bottom drainage, it is recommended to arrange top dressing drainage by covering the surface with pebbles, granite, or marble grit.

Repot young plants every spring after emerging from dormancy. Mature plants are repotted much less frequently. The soil must be steamed to prevent the emergence of root mealybugs.