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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name:
Astrophytum hybrid MY-OR
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar) Plants obtained by
controlled pollination of
♀Astrophytum myriostigma
x ♂Astrophytum ornatum
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Cultivation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is
relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows very
well on its own roots too. Use mineral well
permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus). The
Astrophytum myriostigma grows much faster with a low nitrogen content
fertilizer in spring and summer. Water
sparingly from
March till October, the thin, fibrous roots suffer if there is
humidity, therefore the plant should be watered only when the
surrounding terrain is dry. Keep dry as soon as the temperature starts
dropping in October and keep it perfectly dry in
winter
at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade.
(but it is
Hardy to -7°C for short periods) Although it is one of the
easier Astrophytum to grow, they tend to rot at that time of the year,
if kept wet. In
the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!
Sun Exposure:
Light shade to full sun, its colour tends to richer and darker
when grown in light shade.
Propagation: Almost exclusively by seed. Plants are sometimes
grafted onto column-shaped cacti. Cutting scions from a flourishing
plant is almost a crime because the scions do not root easily. Photo of Astrophytum hybrids:
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