|
|
Habitat:
desert regions of southwestern Texas and southern New Mexico.
Description: the genus comprises mainly globular cacti with a
clumping habit, with vertically furrowed tubercles like Coryphantha. The
diurnal flower, borne from spring to summer, may be from pink or fuchsia to
purple or in shades of yellow. Each species is often named differently:
Gymnocactus, Coryphantha, Neobesseya, Neolloydia, Echinocactus are some
synonyms.
Soil: basic mix.
Location: grow in filtered light.
Temperature: the average minimum temperature for these species is
between 6 and 10°C (43-50°F) but some tolerate cold weather better than
others and are suitable for a non-heated conservatory. They all require good
air circulation. Some plants in Neobessaya need a minimum of about
10°C (50°F), otherwise they tend to develop unsightly spots due to the low
temperatures.
Water: average, but if the temperatures should be around freezing it is
essential to stop watering and keep the air humidity low.
Cultivation tips: not easy; propagate from basal offsets or stem
cuttings. They’re difficult to raise from seed (temperature for germination:
25°C / 77°F.). Ensure good ventilation.
Main species: E. sneedii is similar to E. leei;
E. strobiliformis; E. lloydii; E. orcuttii; E. organensis; E.
robbinsorum; E. roseana, grow in humus-rich soil; E. chaffeyi; E.
tuberculosa; E. hesteri; E. zilziana; E. minima, can withstand
temperatures down to -12°C (10°F);E. missouriensis, syn. Neobesseya
m. withstands minimum temperatures around -25°C (-13°F);E. vivipara,
can tolerate minimum temperatures down to -20°C (-4°F);E. runyonii,
ensure a minimum of 8-10°C (45-50°F); it needs more water during the growing
period.
   |
|
|
