Turbinicarpus beguinii is endemic to Mexico, where it is found in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, and Tamaulipas. It grows in semi desert scrub, on calcareous soil among pinyon and juniper trees, and in open meadows at elevations above 1900 m above sea level...
Turbinicarpus beguinii also called as Echinocactus beguinii, Gymnocactus beguinii, Neolloydia beguinii, Neolloydia glassii, Neolloydia smithii var. beguinii, Thelocactus beguinii, Turbinicarpus beguinii subsp. beguinii, Turbinicarpus mandragora subsp. beguinii, is a species of the genus Turbinicarpus. This species was described by Mosco & Zanovello in 1997.
IDENTIFY TURBINICARPUS BEGUINII
Turbinicarpus beguinii is endemic to Mexico, where it is found in the states of Coahuila, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, and Tamaulipas. It grows in semi desert scrub, on calcareous soil among pinyon and juniper trees, and in open meadows at elevations above 1900 m above sea level.
It is a single spherical cactus with spherical or slightly conical, bluish-green in color with a height of 6-8 (up to 10) cm and a diameter of 6-8 cm stem, with a rounded hollow apex that is completely hidden under a snow-white thick coat. The 13 to 21 ribs are arranged spirally and are divided into tubercles of quadrangular or conical shape, the upper part of the tubercles is slightly compressed laterally, with acute upper and lower margins. In an adult cactus, the radial spines are tightly assembled, usually 12, they are subulate, very sharp, snow-white, translucent, up to 17 mm long. Young thorns almost vitreous, with a black tip. With age, thorns gray and diverge horizontally, almost combed. The central spine is one, much longer than the radial (up to 30 mm), stronger, white, with a dark brown or black tip.
This cactus blooms in summer with widely funnel-shaped, perianth linear leaves, blunt-ended, green with purple edge, petals linear-lanceolate, pointed, purple in color with a lighter edge flowers. The length and diameter of the flower are 2-2.5 cm. Stamen filaments are white, anthers are dark yellow. Above the stamens there is a white pestle with six curved blades. It produces 12 mm long, urn-like shape fruits.
There are several varieties of this cactus: Turbinicarpus beguinii subs. albiflorus (petals white with pink stripes going in the center); Turbinicarpus beguinii subs. hintoniorum (pale greenish-yellow flowers with a central light pink strip, dark green color of the epidermis, and the presence of two central spines); Turbinicarpus beguinii subs. senilis (faster growth, it can reach 18-25 cm in height, it is densely covered with long white curved spines, flowers are larger, 3-5 cm in diameter).
TURBINICARPUS BEGUINII 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:
Turbinicarpus beguinii loves the bright sun, but can also bear a light shadow. However, it is better to grow it with a lot of sun, lack of light leading stress, which can lead to poor growth and unnatural shape. Direct sunlight is also useful for the growth of powerful spines. Better keep it outdoors or ensure good ventilation. Almost all problems arise as a result of over moistening and poor ventilation, especially in overcast, cool and damp weather. These cacti like very dry air.
Substrate, growing media and repotting:
This cactus is grown in a mineral sand mixture for cacti, providing very good drainage. It is useful to add up to 30% of gypsum to the soil mixture.
Watering:
Watering the plant is rather rare, so that the cactus retains a compact appearance, and its stem is not excessively stretched. In addition, the cactus root-like root tends to crack and decay with excessive watering. In winter or when night temperatures fall below 10 ° C, the cactus should be kept dry. Adult plants easily rot and die, especially after transplantation, so water it should be cautious. Watering needs less than usual if it grows in a large pot.
Fertilizer:
Feed the cactus once during the growing season with a special fertilizer for cacti and succulents (high in potassium, low in nitrogen and with trace elements), diluting it at a concentration of ½ of the dose recommended on the package. These cacti grow on poor soils and require a small amount of fertilizers, otherwise they begin to grow strongly and are easily affected by fungal diseases.
Rest period:
In winter, Turbinicarpus beguinii should be kept dry. Despite the fact that this plant loves heat, without watering it can withstand even light frosts. The minimum temperature in winter should be 5 ° C.
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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