Scientific Name
Gymnocalycium bruchii (Speg.) Hosseus
Synonym(s)
Gymnocalycium bruchii subsp. bruchii, Frailea bruchii, Gymnocalycium albispinum, Gymnocalycium lafaldense, Echinocactus lafaldensis, Gymnocalycium carolinense, Gymnocalycium lafaldense
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Gymnocalycium
Description
Gymnocalycium bruchii is a dwarf cactus that forms clumps of blue-green stems with 12 shallow ribs and woolly areoles that bear clusters of white to grayish, bristle-like spines. The stems are spherical, depressed at the apex, and can reach only 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in height and 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) in diameter.
Flowers are funnel-shaped, up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, and nearly equal in diameter. They are in different shades of pink and white and appear in spring.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 8a to 11b: from 10 °F (−12.2 °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 it, will result in the loss of flowers.
The potting medium's balance 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.
Watering in the summer months, while the plants are growing well, can be frequent (weekly for small plants in small pots), but always allow the compost to nearly 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 Argentina (Córdoba and San Luis).
Links
- Back to genus Gymnocalycium
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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