Echinopsis OXYGONA

Echinopsis OXYGONA - Easter lily cactus, Echinopsis oxygona, Eyries' cactus, Echinopsis EYRIESII.

Echinopsis is a genus of cacti in the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising more than 120 species growing in South America, predominantly in Argentina, Bolivia, and Uruguay.

The genus is represented by globose or short-stemmed cacti with numerous ribs, large areoles, and a variety of spines - from short to long, slender, and curved. Plants often elongate with age, forming a columnar shape. A distinctive feature of echinopsis is large funnel-shaped flowers on a long tube, opening at night or in the early hours.

Flowers form in spring and summer, being white, pink, red, or salmon, with a strong fragrance. Flowering lasts a short time - from one to three days. Fruits are fleshy, oblong, with a soft rind. Seeds are black, small, rounded, with a glossy surface.

Easter lily cactus is a globose or slightly flattened cactus up to 15 cm (5.9 in) in diameter. It has 10-15 straight, weakly pronounced ribs and large areoles with slender, light brown spines up to 2 cm (0.8 in) long. The stem is dark green, with a matte surface.

It blooms profusely from late spring to late summer. Flowers are pink or pinkish-white, up to 15 cm (5.9 in) long, with a long floral tube and a delicate sweetish fragrance. They open in the evening and nighttime hours. Fruits are ovoid, green, dehiscing upon ripening. Seeds are small, rounded, black.

Seeds are sown on the surface of a moistened loose mineral substrate. Sowings are covered with a transparent lid. Ventilation is provided 1-2 times a day, and the temperature is maintained within 22-26 °C (72-79 °F).

Seedlings appear in 5-15 days. The maximum germination period is up to 25 days. Pricking out is carried out upon the appearance of the first spines; seedlings are repotted into individual containers and gradually accustomed to bright light.

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Echinopsis is suitable for indoor cultivation. It is placed on a sunny windowsill, preferably with a southern orientation. In the spring period, gradual adaptation to the sun is recommended to avoid burns. During the period of active growth, a temperature of 20-28 °C (68-82 °F) is maintained. In winter, keeping at 8-10 °C (46-50 °F) in a dry room is preferred. Watering is carried out rarely, only after the substrate dries out completely. In winter, watering practically ceases.

A loose mineral substrate with sand and fine gravel is used. Repotting is carried out in spring once every 2-3 years, in deep and stable pots. Drainage is mandatory. During the growing season, fertilizers for cacti are applied once every 3-4 weeks. Feeding ceases with the beginning of autumn. Nitrogen fertilizers are not used.

Shaping is not carried out. Propagation is carried out by seeds and offsets, which root easily during the warm season. Flowering is possible already a few years after rooting.