Astrophytum capricorne is widespread in the north of Mexico, in the Chihuahua Desert, where precipitation is much lower (less than 200 mm per year) than in the habitats of other Astrophytum. This cactus grows mainly on limestone soils, among rocks and prickly bushes...
Astrophytum capricorne also called as The goat's horn cactus, is a species of the genus Astrophytum. This species was described by Nathaniel Lord Britton & Joseph Nelson Rose in 1922.
IDENTIFY ASTROPHYTUM CAPRICORNE
Astrophytum capricorne is widespread in the north of Mexico, in the Chihuahua Desert, where precipitation is much lower (less than 200 mm per year) than in the habitats of other Astrophytum. This cactus grows mainly on limestone soils, among rocks and prickly bushes.
It is a single spherical or columnar cactus with a rather changeable appearance, and eventually grow to 1.2 m in height and 10-15 cm in diameter, with dark green, covered with white woolly specks stem that have usually 8 sharp edges ribs with areoles arranged in the form of vertical rows along each rib. From each areola grows from 5 to 10, up to 7 cm long, gray to brown, curved and flat spines.
The goat's horn cactus blooms in summer, with 7.5 cm in diameter, yellow, with a beautiful dark red yawn, produce a sweetish fragrant flowers appear on the top of the cactus, at the base of young areolas. The fruit is 2.5 cm in diameter, covered with flat spines, turn red when ripe.
ASTROPHYTUM CAPRICORNE CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Astrophytum capricorne loves the sun and grows well if it receives a lot of direct sunlight, although it can also bear a slight shade. Young plants need to be lightly shaded. Due to lack of light, the cactus grows poorly and takes on an unnatural shape.
This species can not be grown outdoors, except in those regions where the climate is very similar to the climate of the natural habitat of this species.
Temperature:
From spring to autumn, these plants grow well at an average temperature of 16-24 ° C. From late autumn until the end of winter, the plant needs a rest period at a temperature of 7-10 ° C. Good air circulation is necessary.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
It is better to use a substrate consisting of one part of coarse-grained sand and two parts of any soil mixture . Good drainage is necessary, cause of this cactus is prone to decay.
Young plants need to be repotted annually, until they reach the age of three or four, after which the repot is carried out only if necessary. It is best to repotted in early spring. If the roots are densely covered with an earthen clod, then it is necessary to repot into a larger pot. Otherwise, you need to plant the plant in the same pot with a fresh soil mixture.
Watering:
In the period of active growth, watering should be moderate (usually once a week), in the intervals between waterings the upper three quarters of the soil should dry completely. During the rest period, the plant is watered rarely, only to prevent the drying of the soil.
Fertilizer:
From spring until the end of summer, Astrophytum capricorne, once every four weeks, is fed with a diluted fertilizer for cactus. These cactus grow on poor soils and they do not need a large amount of fertilizers. Excessive fertilization can ruin the roots of the plant.
Grow from seeds:
Cactus seedlings are very fragile on the first weeks and survival depends on how they are treated on that crucial stage; out of 100 of seeds in the wild only a few survive to an adult plant to produce seeds and start the cycle again. Obtaining a high percentage of adult plants from a batch of seedlings, depends on how each collector takes care of their seedlings.
Water for seedlings is the most important item to keep them growing for first few weeks. Generally, most seedlings, which are 1 week old will die after 3 days of dryness. 2 month-old seedlings can survive for 1 week if allowed to dry. 6 month-old seedlings can survive for 2 months if allowed to dry. 1 year-old seedlings can survive for 5 months if allowed to dry.
Planting instructions for 4”pot kit: First, clean with water and chlorine plastic pot, clear cover and label and wash with fresh water. Second, the soil can be sterilized for 2 hours at 120º C in an oven or a microwave but can be used without sterilization. Third, fill the pot with soil and spray with distilled, reverse osmosis or pure rainwater to let soil flatten at the top. Fourth, place to 1/8 to 1/4 inch layer of Dyna Rock or crushed sea shell extra fine on top to cover the soil making a layer between soil and seeds. Fifth, place seeds over the Dyna Rock and fine spray water the seeds well and cover with a clearcover.
COMMENTS