PARODIA

Habitat: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay.
Description: these beautiful small, spiny cacti with a cylindrical or globular stem can bloom just 2 or 3 years after sowing. The large, funnel-shaped flowers are numerous and brightly coloured.
Some may be synonymous with Echinocactus, Wigginsia, Malacocarpus, Brasilicactus.
Eriocactus, Malacocarpus and Notocactus are now within this genus.
Soil: 50% leaf mould, 50% sand. Keep the soil moist throughout the summer.
Location: grow in filtered light.
Temperature: a minimum temperature of 6°C (43°F) is recommended.
Water: average; during the summer the soil should never dry out completely. Water must be sprayed occasionally in the winter but never poured over the soil or the roots may rot.
Cultivation tips: they’re not always easy since the roots are delicate and easily damaged; they should be repotted each year. Due to their slow growth rate, they will do best if grafted.
Main species: P. sanguiniflora; P. aureicentra; P. betaniana; P. catamarcensis; P. echinus;
P. aureispina; P. gracilis; P. herzogiana; P. jujuyana; P. mairanana; P. malyana;
P. microsperma; P. buenekeri; P. microthele; P. minuscola; P. mutabilis; P. penicillata;
P. brevihamata; P. punae; P. rubiflora; P. schuetziana.