Acanthocalycium Cactaceae : Unusual appearance
Acanthocalycium is a type of cactus in the Cactaceae family. These unique plants come from Argentina. You can find them in Salta, Catamarca, Tucuman, and Cordoba.
People like Acanthocalyciums for their unusual shapes and stem colors. Their pretty flowers also draw attention. They are easy to grow indoors and look nice.
These cacti can grow from about 4 inches to 2 feet tall. The stems can be round or like a cylinder. Stem colors range from light to dark green. Thorns or spines cover the stems, which gives them a special look.
Acanthocalycium blooms in the summer. This happens after the cactus grows to at least 2.5 inches wide. The flowers are medium-sized, about 1 to 2 inches. They are shaped like funnels with wide petals.
The plant's fruit is a round, dark green shape, about an inch across. The seeds are big, with colors from dark brown to black.
Acanthocalycium is easy to care for. Even beginners can grow it. But, you still need to provide the right conditions.
Soil: Use soil that drains well. It should have mostly turf soil. Also, add sand and small gravel. These additions should make up about 30-40% of the total soil. The soil should have a pH of about 5-6.
Temperature: Acanthocalyciums like heat. Keep them at 46-50°F in the winter.
Light: In the spring, give the plant some shade. In the summer, it needs lots of sunlight to grow well.
Watering: Water the plant regularly when it is actively growing. Be careful not to let water sit around the roots.