Astrophytum
Globular cacti, strongly depressed or columnar, always solitary. Their name comes from 'aster' = star, as many species have the stem divided into five ribs. Their epidermis is typically dotted with small white waxy scales with a reflective function of solar radiation. Almost all species are Mexican.
GROWING MEDIUM Mixture of lapillus and pumice with a small portion of peat (20%). |
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EXPOSURE Gradual exposure to full sun in conditions of good ventilation |
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COLD TOLERANCE Freezing winter temperature with night low below 0 °C (32 °F). |
WATERING Water moderately waiting for the soil to dry. |
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GROWING SEASON A summer cycle with growth from March to September. |
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NUTRITION Fertilization low in nitrogen with NPK titre similar to 8:16:32. |
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Astrophytum asterias
Gonzales, Mexico.
The most characteristic among the species of its genus, for the solitary stem, pressed to the ground that vaguely recalls the skeleton of a sea urchin. Its large flowers are a beautiful light yellow color with a red throat. It resists well below zero if kept dry in winter. The species is at risk of extinction because it is continuously poachd in the wild. Learn More -
Astrophytum capricorne var. minus
Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico.
Small in size but producing large yellow flowers with a red throat. The curled spines form a compact mass that protects the apex from excessive sun. Learn More -
Astrophytum coahuilense
Beautiful species of Astrophytum, characteristic for its large yellow-sulfur flowers with the red throat and the candid oblong stem. Learn More -
Astrophytum coahuilense
Lerdo, Durango, Mexico.
Beautiful species of Astrophytum, characteristic for its large yellow-sulfur flowers with the red throat and the candid oblong stem. Learn More -
Astrophytum myriostigma
Coronel, SLP, Mexico.
Interesting for the geometric shape of the stem, enhanced by the absence of thorns and the whitish color due to the presence of waxy scales, which make these plants similar to the rocks among which they grow in their habitat. Learn More -
Astrophytum myriostigma var. columnare
Species with a typical columnar shape, very accentuated also in the young specimens. The flowers are small and light yellow in color. Learn More -
Astrophytum myriostigma var. strongylogonum
Las Tablas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Interesting for the typically rounded shape that the ribs of the stem take on in mature specimens. Learn More -
Astrophytum myriostigma var. tulense
Interesting for its compact, robust stem, first spherical then columnar. The skin has a dense covering of white waxy scales. The flowers are small for the genus. In winter they resist frost if well dry. Learn More -
Astrophytum myriostigma var. tulense
Tula, Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Interesting for its compact, robust stem, first spherical then columnar. The skin has a dense covering of white waxy scales. The flowers are small for the genus. In winter they resist frost if well dry. Learn More -
Astrophytum niveum
Los Imagines, Coahuila, Mexico.
Interesting for the punctuation of waxy scales that thickly covers the epidermis, coloring it pure white. The flowers, yellow with a red throat, are large and showy and the thorns can be moderately long. It does not present particular difficulties in cultivation and resists frost well if kept well dry. Learn More -
Astrophytum ornatum
It is the species that reaches the largest dimensions of its genus. Interesting for the armor of strong spines and the white color of the skin, often divided by zebra stripes. The stem is first globose then briefly columnar, always solitary. Very robust plant and lover of calcareous soils, it resists frost if kept well dry. Learn More -
Astrophytum ornatum
Metztitlan, Hidalgo, Mexico.
It is the species that reaches the largest dimensions of its genus. Interesting for the armor of strong spines and the white color of the skin, often divided by zebra stripes. The stem is first globose then briefly columnar, always solitary. Very robust plant and lover of calcareous soils, it resists frost if kept well dry. Learn More -
Astrophytum ornatum f. mirbellii
Vista Hermosa, Qro. Mexico.
Characteristic kind due to the showy pigmentation of the epidermis, often gathered in regular bands. The spines are really stouth, as in the typical form of this species. Learn More