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Flowers with delicate tones
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Description: The Chamaelobivia hybrids.
Chamaecereus
silvestrii (now renamed Echinopsis chamaecereus) is an old species
widely hybridized with various Lobivias, hence Chamaelobivia (intergenic
hybrid of Chamaecereus and Lobivia), but since both of those are now
reclassified as Echinopsis, that makes this an Echinopsis hybrid.
Chamaelobivia are very popular hybrids that develop really amazing
flowers of different colours on the original "peanut" body and many of
these hybrids have cultivar names. This plants soon form spectacular
clumps with 20-30 (or more) flowers at a time, and are quite a sight.
They are often thicker, stronger, larger-growing than C. sylvestrii, and
tend not to have the typical peanut shaped offsets. The offsets produced
are more strongly attached to the main stems.
Most of these hybrids can grow outside all year and can take a lot of
sun. Hardy from -4° to -12° C, depending on clone.
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Cultivation: This is an
easily grown cactus, suited to hanging baskets as well as pots.
Grow in
well-drained soil in a sunny spot. This Echinopsis needs a period of
cool rest in winter to produce flowers abundantly.
It flowers freely
indoors if conditions suit it. The plant survives outside without
protection in winter (cold hardy to -8° ) but is then
somewhat prone to rot, too.
It needs moderate water in summer, none in winter.
Watch for infestations of
mealybug, scale insects and spider mite. |
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name: x Chamaelobivia hybrid cv.
Perla di Verona
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
ABOVE: The first flower of small young cutting
BELOW: The flower of a big mature specimen
Propagation: Easy to propagate from offsets. Small joints are
produced in quantities (peanuts). These offsets can be detached and
planted immediately, as they root easily with no assistance when they
touch the ground. Just let them lay on the soil and you have a new
start.
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