Astrophytum CAPRICORNE 'HYBRIDE', Super Japan

Astrophytum CAPRICORNE 'HYBRIDE', Super Japan - Hybrid goat's horn cactus, Astrophytum capricorne Japan.

Astrophytum is a genus of succulent plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), including 6 species and numerous cultivars and forms, native to stony and calcareous soils in the foothills and mountains of northeastern Mexico and Texas.

Representatives of the genus are known for solitary, globose, or cylindrical, ribbed stems and a near absence of spines, although some species do have a few curved spines. The surface can be smooth or covered with white flecks, forming unusual, light, felt-like, marbled patterns on the stem surface capable of absorbing moisture. There are no leaves; the plant body is green, often with a glaucous bloom, decorated with areoles bearing spines.

The cacti grow very slowly, but on the other hand bloom early with large, funnel-shaped, yellow flowers, sometimes with a red center, located at the apex of the stem. The flowers usually fade after two to three days. With proper care, flowering lasts for a prolonged period, from spring to late autumn. Fleshy pubescent fruits with thin skin contain black or brown seeds.

Goat's horn cactus has unique, bizarrely curved spines resembling goat horns and light flecks on a dark green stem. The stem can reach 20-25 cm (7.9-9.8 in) in length and 12 cm (4.7 in) in diameter, without lateral shoots. There are up to 9 clearly pronounced ribs on the stem. Areoles have light gray pubescence. Spines are up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long, brown or gray. Flowers up to 8 cm (3.1 in) in diameter are yellow. The variety MAJOR has numerous silvery flecks and nearly black spines.

Before planting, seeds are soaked for 3-6 hours in warm water with the addition of stimulators (SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminosol, Epin, or Zircon), after which they are disinfected for 10 minutes in a weak potassium permanganate solution, then dried in air and surface-sown into a moist substrate consisting of leaf soil, river sand, and finely crushed charcoal in a 1:1:1 ratio. They are moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film or placed in a greenhouse, and germinated in light, but not in the sun, at a temperature of 20-25 °C (68-77 °F), preferably with a nighttime temperature reduction to 15-18 °C (59-64 °F). Regular ventilation is carried out and even moisture is maintained.

Sprouts appear within 10-30 days, depending on temperature and humidity. The maximum germination period can exceed 45 days. Care must be taken with watering so as not to ruin the sprouts. Pricking out is performed upon the appearance of 2-3 true tubercles, after which the plants are transplanted into individual containers. The seedlings, somewhat larger than those of other globose cacti at this time, develop slowly but stably. Flowering occurs in the 4th-6th year subject to dormancy regime and good lighting.

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The plant is placed in a sunny spot, preferably on a southern or southwestern window. Access to fresh air and the absence of moisture stagnation are provided. In summer, the temperature is maintained at 22-30 °C (72-86 °F). In autumn, the plant is prepared for dormancy, and by winter the temperature is gradually lowered to 10-12 °C (50-54 °F) under complete rest.

Watering is carried out moderately after the substrate dries out, soaking the root ball completely with water. In the winter period, watering is excluded. With the onset of the growing season, the maintenance temperature is gradually raised above 12 °C (54 °F); at lower temperatures, the plant is unable to absorb water. The first watering is performed cautiously with a small amount of water.

A stable, shallow pot with a mandatory drainage layer is selected for cultivation. A mineral substrate with the addition of sand, gravel, and crushed brick is used. Repotting is carried out in spring, carefully, trying not to damage the root system, since new roots regrow with difficulty. Astrophytum is potted on into a pot not much larger, just enough to accommodate it. Repotting is done from dry soil into dry soil, and watering is carried out after 5-7 days so that damaged roots dry out. Mature plants, starting from 10 years of age, are repotted rarely, at intervals of 5-6 years and only if roots entangle the entire root ball.

During the growing season, once every 4 weeks, plants are fed with special fertilizers for cacti with reduced nitrogen content, at a diluted concentration. Fertilizer is not applied during dormancy. The plants tolerate high calcium levels in the soil poorly. Shaping is not required. Propagation is carried out by seeds. Offsets are not produced.