Scientific Name
Escobaria abdita Řepka & Vaško
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Escobaria
Description
Escobaria abdita is an attractive small geophytic cactus with a swollen root and stems with short ivory to chalk-white spines. The stems are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. The flowers are small, white with light pink stripes on the tepals and yellow anthers. They are up to 1.8 inches (4.5 cm) long and 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in diameter. Fruits are up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) long and with a diameter equal to the length.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Escobarias are very susceptible to rot and require 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 the death of the plant. The plants, whose growth is typically quite slow, perceive a significant temperature difference between night and day in the growing season.
The experienced grower knows well the difficulties of survival of this genus, which is certainly not one of the easiest to grow. The seed germination rate is lower than other genera, and in fact, other propagation methods are preferable, such as offsets or cuttings.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Escobaria.
Origin
This species is native to Mexico (Coahuila).
Links
- Back to genus Escobaria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
