Cactus e Dintorni

Habitat: South America: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern Brazil, Bolivia, found from sea level to 1000 m (3300 ft) of altitude.
Description: a genus of small, globular or short cylindrical cacti that produce flowers when still young. They have curved, short spines and large flowers with a long, hairless tube.
Soil: half basic mix plus half garden soil.
Location: they prefer partial shade, except the species saglionis, bruchii e a few others best grown in full sun.
Temperature: minimum temperature of 8°C (46°F); exposure to cold temperatures may result in the formation of scars.
Water: water thoroughly during the growing period. Leave the soil dry only for a few days in the summertime.
Cultivation tips: easy. In the wild, they are sheltered by grasses from the strong sunlight. They enjoy frequent application of fertilizer.
Main species of Gymnocalycium: Gymnocalycium bruchii, syn. lafaldense, is easy, self-sterile, taprooted; Gymnocalycium saglionis, resents high humidity and is easier if grafted.
Gymnocalycium spegazzinii, self-sterile, needs coarse mineral soil with pumice and a deep pot placed in full sun;
Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, globular, requires partial shade, abundant water in the summer and a fair amount of humus, min. 8°C (46°F), the red-coloured species having no chlorophyll must be grafted on to Eriocereus and Hylocereus undatus;
Gymnocalycium baldianum; Gymnocalycium andreae; Gymnocalycium brachyanthum; Gymnocalycium vatteri; G. calcochlorum; G. carminanthum;
Gymnocalycium denudatum; Gymnocalycium castellanosii, not tolerant of chalky soil, best grown in full sun; G. curvispinum; Gv damsii; Gymnocalycium friedrichii; Gymnocalycium gibbosum; Gymnocalycium glaucum; Gymnocalycium horridispinum; Gymnocalycium hossei; Gymnocalycium intertextum; G. kieslingii; Gymnocalycium leeanum;G. marquezii; Gymnocalycium mazanense; Gymnocalycium monvillei; G. multiflorum; Gymnocalycium pugionacanthum; Gymnocalycium quehlianum; Gymnocalycium schickendatzii; Gymnocalycium stellatum; Gymnocalycium striglianum; G. sutterianum; G. tilcarense; Gymnocalyciumuruguayense; G. valnicekianum; Gymnocalycium zegarrae.