Ariocarpus

Also called 'living stone cactus' (living rock cactus) they are long-lived plants, very resistant but very slow growing. During the year they disguise the appearance of the rocks among which they live to escape the sight of predators until, in autumn, they produce their marvelous blooms. Many species are at risk of extinction due to illegal harvesting.

Description
Ariocarpus are flattened subsphaerical plants, a few centimeters tall or flattened to the ground or, again, buried under debris from which only the tops of the tubercles emerge.
Part of the stem and the enlarged roots form a voluminous underground caudex, with a reserve function.

The flowers are large and vary in color from white to magenta and yellow and appear on mature plants from September through late autumn. The fruits ripen in the following spring. Ariocarpus are widespread in the United States (Texas) and Mexico.

	GROWING MEDIUM Mixture exclusively mineral of lapillus and pumice or natural soils.
	EXPOSURE Gradual exposure to full sun in conditions of good ventilation
	COLD TOLERANCE Freezing winter temperature with night low below 0 °C (32 °F).

GROWING MEDIUM

Mixture exclusively mineral of lapillus and pumice or natural soils.

EXPOSURE

Gradual exposure to full sun in conditions of good ventilation

COLD TOLERANCE

Freezing winter temperature with night low below 0 °C (32 °F).

	WATERING Water moderately waiting for the soil to dry.
	GROWING SEASON A summer cycle with growth from March to September.
	NUTRITION Fertilization low in nitrogen with NPK titre similar to 8:16:32.