Scientific Name
Astrophytum asterias 'Shinshowa Red'
Synonym(s)
Astrophytum asterias 'Shinshowa Akabana', Astrophytum asterias 'Showa Red', Astrophytum asterias 'Syowa Kabuto'
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Astrophytum
Origin
Astrophytum asterias 'Shinshowa Red' is one of the most popular cultivars of Astrophytum asterias.
Description
Astrophytum asterias 'Shinshowa Red' is an attractive small cactus with a solitary, spineless, grey-green stem with usually eight broad ribs and large wooly areoles following a central line down each rib. The stem can grow up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) tall and 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.
The flowers appear at the tip of the stems, usually in spring. They can reach up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter and have numerous shred-like tepals in shades of pink, orange, red, and purple.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Astrophytums are not vigorous plants, requiring a lot of patience to reach their full potential. Keep regularly watering and feeding them during the growing season and repot annually to give them space to develop. They need a temperate, dry winter, and make sure not to overwater them to avoid rotting their roots. If given sufficient care, they will grow marvelous flowers once they reach maturity. Watch out for common cactus pests like aphids and scale, as well. These can often be taken care of by a good eco-friendly pesticide or simply wiped away with a cloth.
Repot regularly to help them develop. Astrophytums should be repotted at the beginning of the growing season for best results, allowing them to grow into the impressive specimens for which the genus is known. Protect your hands before repotting due to their stiff spikes, lift the plant out all at once, and then replace it in a larger pot and backfill with soil. Don't overwater or overfeed newly repotted cacti, as disturbances can be hard on them.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Astrophytum.
Links
- Back to genus Astrophytum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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