Puna clavarioides is endemic to Argentina, where it grows in high-altitude steppes and monte shrublands in Mendoza and San Juan at altitudes between 2000 and 3000 m above sea level. It can be found on rocks and sand among shrubs and grasses, but it often occurs in places where no other species of vegetation can survive...
Puna clavarioides also called as Dead man's fingers, Mushroom Opuntia, Maihueniopsis clavarioides, Opuntia clavarioides, Opuntia ruiz-lealii, is a species of the genus Puna. This species was described by R. Kiesling in 1982.
IDENTIFY PUNA CLAVARIOIDES
Puna clavarioides is endemic to Argentina, where it grows in high-altitude steppes and monte shrublands in Mendoza and San Juan at altitudes between 2000 and 3000 m above sea level. It can be found on rocks and sand among shrubs and grasses, but it often occurs in places where no other species of vegetation can survive.
It is a low growing geophyte cactus with short, 2-3 cm in height and 1.5 cm in diameter, grayish to dark brown, without tubercles, rather brittle, cylindrical or back-conical, sometimes with a truncated apex or comb, branching stem and has small, 1.5 mm length, reddish color leaves which grow on new increments. The areoles are small, numerous, elliptical, with wool and short pectinate (comb) spines. Especially many areolas in the upper part of the shoots, in the lower part they are located less often. The 4-10 spines are white, combed, pressed to the body of a cactus.
This cactus blooms with yellow-green or olive-green color, about 4 cm in length flowers which appear on the side. Sepals linear, pointed, reddish, petals light brown to yellow-green, narrow, spatulate. The flower tube without developed areolas, but with small scaly leaves and short hairs and bristles in the sinuses. Stamens white, shorter than petals, pistil white, stigma with seven lobes. It produces ellipsoid or pear-shaped, dry, non-opening, 1.5 cm long fruits, single-seeded.
PUNA CLAVARIOIDES 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:
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
Because of a thick elongated root, this species needs a deep pot with a well drained mineral soil mixture.
Watering:
This cactus is sensitive to overflow, but during the growing season it needs to be given a sufficient amount of water. In winter, the cactus is not watered.
Rest period:
In winter, this cactus should be kept in a cool place without watering. The plant tolerates easy frosts to -5 ° C, but the optimal winter temperature is 10-12 ° C. The winter rest period is important for flowering and healthy growth of the cactus. Without cold wintering the buds are formed little.
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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