Ariocarpus scaphirostris - Living Rock Cactus

Scientific Name

Ariocarpus scaphirostris Boed.

Common Names

Living Rock Cactus

Synonyms

Ariocarpus scapharostrus

Scientific Classification

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

Description

Ariocarpus scaphirostris is a slow-growing, grey-green, geophytic cactus, rising barely above ground level. Stem is solitary, subglobose or globose, more or less rounded on top and up to 2.2 inches (6 cm) tall. Tubercles are erect, spineless, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) long. Flowers are magenta, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter. Blooms in autumn. Fruit is greenish, up to 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) long and up to 0.3 inches (8 mm) in diameter.

Photo via cactus-art.biz

How to Grow and Care

Ariocarpus need a lot of sun. However, in hot, dry areas, they can be damaged by excessive sunlight, so you should either use a shade cloth 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.

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.

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. Remember, when dealing with any kind of cactus, watering too often is much worse than not watering enough. Do not water during winter… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Ariocarpus.