Scientific Name
Ariocarpus fissuratus 'Godzilla'
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Ariocarpus
Origin
This cactus is a Japanese cultivar of Ariocarpus fissuratus with several slightly different forms.
Description
Ariocarpus fissuratus 'Godzilla' is an odd slow-growing cactus that forms a star-shaped rosette of thick fleshy deltoid tubercles with a downy stripe down the middle. It grows up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The surface of the tubercles is green and coarsely rugose. Flowers are up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter, appear in fall, and last for 3 to 4 days.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
You should plant your Ariocarpus in soil specifically formulated for cacti. You can buy a cactus mix at your local nursery. Do not use generic soil mixes because they will not provide enough aeration and drainage. Additionally, using a container without a hole, whether a pot or a terrarium, is a bad idea for the same reason.
Ariocarpus need a lot of sunlight. However, in hot, dry areas, they can be damaged by excessive sunlight, so you should use a shade cloth to limit their sun or move them out of it during the hottest hours of the day. In more temperate areas, direct sunlight is fine.
These cacti prefer to be kept at room temperature or slightly lower and in low humidity.
Water your Ariocarpus when it is dry, but then wait until the soil dries out completely to water it again. The amount of time this takes will vary depending on your climate and the size of your pot if you use one.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Ariocarpus.
Links
- Back to genus Ariocarpus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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