| Place of origin:
Central and Eastern Mexico.
Description: The plant has grayish green
globular stem of between 25 and 40 cm. high and about 40 cm.
wide.
The ribs are between 8 and 14 when the plant is young, but
they can be up to 23 when adult. They show protuberances and
they are separated by relief that acquire low and obtuse tubercle
aspect as the plant grows old.
Areolas can be separated up to 4 cm. to each other. They are
big and show some white wool that is lost as the plant grows.
Radial spines are about 6 or 10. They are white or pink, fluted,
thin and of about 2.5 cm. long. Central spines are arranged
in number of 4 or maybe more. They are red when young and
reddish when adult. They normally appear turgid or directed
towards the outside and about 3.5 cm. long, although the inferior
one is bigger and have a hooked end.
The flowers, pleasantly scented, are about 3.5 cm. long. They
are white or pink, but they can be carmine or violet too.
This species blooms early if we compared it with other representatives
of the genus, since the first flowers appear when the plant
measures about 15 cm. wide.
Growing tips: It requires full sun and well
drained porous substrate. Watering must be moderate. It is
recommended that the young specimens be protected from cold,
since too low temperatures can cause orange color spots on
the skin. Adult plants tolerate cold very well. Propagation
is made by seeds. |
