Scientific Name
Escobaria abdita Řepka & Vaško
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Escobaria
Description
Escobaria abdita is a small, fascinating, geophytic cactus with a swollen subterranean root. The stem is up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter with short, ivory to chalk-white and more or less spindle-shaped spines. The flowers are small, white with light pink stripes on the tepals, up to 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) long and up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in diameter. They are followed by up to 0.3 inch (0.8 cm) long fruits.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Photo via kkplzen.eu
How to Grow and Care
Escobarias are very susceptible to rot and therefore require a well-drained soil, without any water excess or stagnation. It has been observed that the plants also suffer the environmental humidity, which should preferably remain very low (30 to 50 %). Avoid watering during the winter, when the plant is dormant. Watering Escobaria in cold environmental conditions will almost certainly lead to death of the plant. In the growing season the plants, whose growth is typically quite slow, like to perceive a significant temperature difference between night and day.
The experienced grower knows well the difficulties of survival of this genus, certainly not one of the easiest to grow. The seed germination rate is lower than other genus and in fact other methods of propagation are preferable, as a offsets or cuttings.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Escobaria.
Origin
Escobaria abdita is native to Mexico (Coahuila).
Links
- Back to genus Escobaria
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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