Scientific Name
Echinopsis aurea var. dobeana (Dölz) J.Ullmann
Accepted Scientific Name
Echinopsis aurea Britton & Rose
Common Name(s)
Red Easter Lily Cactus
Synonym(s)
Echinopsis dobeana, Lobivia aurea var. dobeana, Lobivia dobeana
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Echinopsis
Description
Echinopsis aurea var. dobeana is a small, clustering cactus with spherical or elongated stems with 14 to 15 sharp-edged ribs separated by deep grooves. The stems can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall and 2.6 inches (6 cm) in diameter. The ribs are lined with whitish or brownish areoles that bear clusters of spines. The central spines are long and brown, while the radial spines are white and thinner.
The showy flowers are red, measure up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter, and appear from mid-spring to summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the Echinopsis species without too much trouble. Like many cacti, they prefer a drying period between waterings, even when slightly wilt. When you water, however, you should water deeply. The plant will noticeably plump up. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, ensure to fertilize during the growing season for the best results.
Echinopsis can be easily rooted from offsets, which tend to cluster around the base of the mother plant. Cut offsets close to the stem, at the narrowest possible place. When rooting cacti from cuttings, let the fresh cutting dry out slightly on a paper towel and cut the cacti at the narrowest place possible. After a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the cut surface, the cut surface should have dried out and formed a callous or slightly rough opening. Once the callous has formed, place the cutting in a rooting mixture of fast-draining cacti soil.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Echinopsis.
Origin
Echinopsis aurea var. dobeana is not recognized as a separate variety and is treated as a synonym of Echinopsis aurea var. aurea. It is native to Argentina and occurs in Sierra de Ancasti in Catamarca Province.
Links
- Back to genus Echinopsis
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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