Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus (Star Rock)

Scientific Name

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus (Lem.) K.Schum.

Common Names

Star Rock, Living Rock

Synonyms

Anhalonium fissipedum, Anhalonium kotchubeyi, Anhalonium kotschoubeyanum, Anhalonium sulcatum, Ariocarpus macdowellii, Ariocarpus sulcatus, Roseocactus kotschoubeyanus

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Ariocarpus

Description

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus is small cactus, up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter (usually much smaller), reaching flowering size at slightly more than 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter. It is flat-topped, growing flush with the surface of the ground. Tubercles are small, triangular and bear felted groves along their midlines. The flowers are up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and may range from nearly white or shell pink to bright magenta.

Photo via wikipedia.org

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 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 it is a pot or a terrarium, is a bad idea for the same reason.

Ariocarpus need a lot of sun. However, in hot, dry areas, they can be damaged by excessive sunlight, so you should either use a shadecloth to limit their sun or move them out of the sun 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