Astrophytum myriostigma is native to the highlands of northeastern and central Mexico (Nuevo León, San Luis Potosi and Tamaulipas) at altitudes of 750-1500 m above sea level...
Astrophytum myriostigma also called as Bishop's cap cactus, Bishop's hat, Bishop's miter cactus, Echinocactus myriostigma, Astrophytum prismaticum, Astrophytum columnare, Astrophytum coahuilense, Astrophytum tulense, Astrophytum nuda, is a species of the genus Astrophytum. This species was described by Charles Antoine Lemaire in 1839.
IDENTIFY ASTROPHYTUM MYRIOSTIGMA
Astrophytum myriostigma is native to the highlands of northeastern and central Mexico (Nuevo León, San Luis Potosi and Tamaulipas) at altitudes of 750-1500 m above sea level. They grows on stony, calcareous soils on scrubby alluvial plains on steep, east or west (and southwest) facing slopes, and prefers low densities. It is also found in thin layers in the foothills of mountain ranges. Its distribution is limited by its need for stony, calcareous or lime soils.
It is a deserted spherical cactus, which in natural conditions can grow up to 70-100 cm in height and 10-20 cm in diameter, with a unbranched, spherical, becomes elongated with age, later cylindrical, green, without spines, covered with tiny bundles of silvery villi, looking like scales or specks stem, with 3-8 (usually 5) ribs.
Bishop's cap cactus blooms throughout spring and summer, with bright yellow, about 5 cm in diameter, lasts only a few days flowers. The outer leaves of the perianth are narrow, with brown tips. The inner leaves of the perianth are numerous, oblong, yellow with silky shine. The fruits are 2-2.5 cm in diameter, greenish to reddish-red, covered with brown, overlapping scales with long hair.
Some varieties of Astrophytum myriostigma: Astrophytum myriostigma var. quadricostatum (distinguished by the presence of only four edges), Astrophytum myriostigma var. nudum (has five edges and there are no characteristic bundles of villi).
ASTROPHYTUM MYRIOSTIGMA 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 myriostigma needs a lot of direct sunlight, its color tends to richer and darker when grown in light shade.
Temperature:
During active growth, this cactus is grown at normal room temperature. From the end of autumn to the end of winter, they needs a rest period at a temperature of 7-10 ° C.
Substrate, growing media:
This species grows best in a substrate consisting of one part of coarse-grained sand and two parts of any soil mixture. The plants may become too elongated if compost is too rich. Good drainage is required. In early spring, it is desirable to pull the plant out of the pot. If the roots are densely covered with an earthen lump, then the plant should be repotted into a larger pot. If not, then put the cactus in the same pot with a fresh soil mixture.
Watering:
During the period of active growth from March till October, watering should be moderate. In the intervals between waterings, the top three quarters of the soil must completely dry out. During the rest period, Astrophytum myriostigma needs to be given little water, so that only the soil does not dry completely.
Fertilizer:
This plants in spring and summer is fed with a with a low nitrogen content fertilizer for a long period and a slow release of nutrients. After the repotting, there is no need to give additional fertilizing.
Diseases and pests:
Powdery mealworms: These insects often attack the cactus. These pests are suckers, they suck the juices from the plant, and also are carriers of various diseases, moving from a sick cactus to a healthy one, they also infect it. To fight, you need to use insecticidal soap, following the directions on the label.
Stem rot: Due to over-moistening, the cactus become watery and swollen, this contributes to germination and spread of spores of pathogenic fungi, which can lead to the development of stem rot. If the affected area is small, it is often enough to allow it to dry out. However, the problem with stem rot is that the lesion is usually larger and stronger than it seems from the outside.
Root rot: This disease is usually found when it is too late. The roots die, the cactus stem acquires a yellowish shade and becomes softer. Rot from the roots to the cambium penetrates to the core of the cactus. Root rot usually provokes too frequent watering. If this disease is found at an early stage, which is rare, you need to stop watering and leave the cactus for a long time without water, and then repot the plant into fresh soil with good drainage.
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.
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