Gymnocalycium amerhauseri is endemic to Argentina, occurring in Córdoba, mostly between 1450 to 1600m above sea level. It is found only within the Sierra Chikas mountain range and in several adjacent areas, it can be considered a microendemic of the region. This species is known from only one locality where the population size is not larger than 250 mature individuals...
Gymnocalycium amerhauseri also called as Gymnocalycium amerhauseri subsp. altagraciense, is a species of the genus Gymnocalycium. This species was described by H. Till in 1994.
IDENTIFY GYMNOCALYCIUM AMERHAUSERI
Gymnocalycium amerhauseri is endemic to Argentina, occurring in Córdoba, mostly between 1450 to 1600m above sea level. It is found only within the Sierra Chikas mountain range and in several adjacent areas, it can be considered a micro endemic of the region. This species is known from only one locality where the population size is not larger than 250 mature individuals.
It is a small sized cactus with single, flattened globular to spherical, thick, glossy, dark green, bluish-green or greyish-green, up to 2.5 cm in height and 5-6 cm in diameter stem, with usually 8 tuberculate ribs. The areoles are oval, initially covered with yellowish-white hair, become bare with age. The 5-6 radial spines are straight, slightly curved back, diverge star-shaped, 6-12 mm long, white with a darker brownish-red base. The central spine is initially absent, only in adult plants, its length is 1.2-1.4 cm.
This cactus blooms from June to autumn with funnel-shaped flowers which are up to 3 cm in diameter appear near the apex. They are painted in colors from creamy white to pale pink, with a reddish throat. Scales on the flower tube are green with a pinkish-white border. Its produces dark green, oval to fusiform, about 3.3 cm long and 1.9 cm in diameter fruits and spherical, 1-1.2 mm. in diameter seeds.
GYMNOCALYCIUM AMERHAUSERI 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:
Gymnocalycium amerhauseri tolerates very bright light, but prefers scattered sun or shade at noon time. If it grows in a room, then it needs bright light and some direct sun. In bright light acquires a bronze hue, blossoms better and forms more powerful spines, but can get sunburn or stop in growth from the excess of direct sun on the hottest summer days.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
This cactus prefers a loose, standard soil mixture for cacti with low PH. The plant can not be planted in a soil rich in limestone, otherwise it will stop growing. It requires a lot of space for the roots, the cactus must be repotted every two years or when it grows out of pot. Good drainage is required.
Watering:
In summer, the watering should be moderate to abundant, but it is impossible to overwater the plant, because it is prone to decay. In winter, the content is dry at a minimum temperature of 0 ° C.
Fertilizer:
In summer, the plant needs to be fed with high-pot fertilizer. In winter, the fertilization should be limited or completely abandoned.
Rest period:
Gymnocalycium amerhauseri is frost-resistant, if kept in a dry state, it can withstand a short-term temperature drop to -12 ° C or lower. But for the safety of the cactus of minus temperatures it is best to avoid. The optimum temperature in winter is 8-10 ° C. Wintering is dry.
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 months-old seedlings can survive for 1 week if allowed to dry. 6 months-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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