Acanthocalycium SPINIFLORUM

Acanthocalycium SPINIFLORUM - Spiny-flowered acanthocalycium, Acanthocalycium spiniflorum, Echinopsis SPINIFLORA.

Acanthocalycium is a genus of plants in the family Cactaceae from northern Argentina, comprising about 12 species. In the natural environment, plants inhabit mountain grasslands at an elevation of up to 1000 m (3,280 ft) above sea level.

Plants are solitary, globose or slightly cylindrical, up to 60 cm (23.6 in) tall and up to 15 cm (5.9 in) in diameter, with 9-20 slightly wavy ribs. The stem is colored in green, dark blue, grey, or glaucous tones. Areoles are located at the apex of tubercles, containing 5-10 radial and 1-4 central rigid, elastic spines up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long, colored grey, yellow, reddish, or black.

Flowers appear from May to September, funnel-shaped, up to 5 cm (2.0 in) in diameter, gathered in a lush crown. Petals range from white to delicate purple, and the perianth is lemon-yellow. The fruits are dark green, globose, up to 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter, containing large dark seeds.

Spiny-flowered acanthocalycium is a compact cactus with a dark green body up to 14 cm (5.5 in) in diameter. Ribs are well-defined, up to 16 in number. Spines are up to 2 cm (0.8 in), rigid, white, brown, or black, often curved. Flowers are deep pink or lilac, with bright yellow stamens, up to 6 cm (2.4 in) in diameter. Fruits are green, oblong; seeds are large, shiny.

A fungicide solution at the recommended concentration is poured into the tray. After moistening the substrate, seeds are sown on the surface, moistened with a spray bottle, and covered with film. Germination is carried out in the light (not in direct sun) at a temperature of 20-22 °C (68-72 °F) with regular ventilation. Drying out and waterlogging are not permitted.

Seedlings emerge after 7-14 days. The maximum possible germination time is up to 30 days. After 6 months or upon the appearance of the first spines, seedlings are transplanted into individual 5 cm (2.0 in) pots or into seedling trays at a distance of 1 cm (0.4 in) from each other. Young plants develop steadily and evenly.

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Acanthocalycium is placed in a well-lit location, preferably on a south or southwest window. With insufficient light, the stem stretches, and the spines become weak. In summer, moving outdoors into the fresh air is recommended. Shading is not required in greenhouses.

The temperature in summer is maintained within 20-38 °C (68-100 °F) with good ventilation. In winter, a temperature of 6-10 °C (43-50 °F) is preferred, with a minimum of 4 °C (39 °F). Watering in summer is carried out approximately once every 2 weeks, or slightly more often when using small pots. In winter, watering is excluded, but overhead spraying once every 2 months is permissible.

A substrate of 2 parts loamy or lean soil and 1 part coarse sand is used. Repotting is performed in spring. Until a pot diameter of 13 cm (5.1 in), it is repotted annually, then as needed (once every 8-10 years). Feedings are applied once a month in spring and summer, using fertilizers with higher potassium content. Full sun is required for proper flowering. The plant usually begins flowering at 4 years of age upon reaching 7-8 cm (2.8-3.1 in) in diameter.