Gymnocalycium anisitsii

Scientific Name

Gymnocalycium anisitsii (K.Schum.) Britton & Rose

Synonym(s)

Echinocactus anisitsii, Echinocactus joossensianus, Gymnocalycium griseopallidum

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Gymnocalycium

Description

Gymnocalycium anisitsii is a small cactus with globular stems that grows up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall and 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. It can be solitary or slowly clustering. The spines are yellowish to brownish, twisted, and up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long. Sometimes a central spine is present, but it is usually absent. Flowers are white to pink, funnel-shaped, and up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long. The red fruits are long and cylindrical, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Some Gymnocalyciums are shade-seeking in the wild, among shrubs or grasses, while others grow completely exposed. Therefore, some will need light shading from the sun in the hottest months, but to overdo this will result in the loss of flowers.

The balance of the potting medium should be sufficient to allow good drainage so that the plants do not sit in soggy soil for more than a day or two after watering.

While the plants are growing well, watering in the summer months can be frequent (weekly for small plants in small pots), but always allowing the compost nearly to dry out before rewatering. Watering in the winter months at all is unwise and certainly not necessary. The difficult times are spring and autumn.

Those species which produce offsets can be readily propagated by cuttings. Gymnocalycium seed germinates well when fresh and will keep for a few years if stored in cold conditions.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Gymnocalycium.

Origin

This species is native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia.