Ariocarpus is a genus of cacti that belong to the group commonly referred to as a Living Rock. They can survive without water for up to a year. Even though a plant like that seems foolproof, there are many things you can do to improve its health.
Growing Conditions
Soil: You should plant your Ariocarpus in soil specifically formulated for cacti. You can buy a cactus mix at your local nursery. Do not use generic soil mixes because they will not provide enough aeration and drainage. Additionally, using a container without a hole, whether a pot or a terrarium, is a bad idea for the same reason.
Light: Ariocarpus needs a lot of sunlight. However, in hot, dry areas, these cacti can be damaged by excessive sunlight, so you should use a shade cloth to limit their sun or move them out of it during the hottest hours of the day. In more temperate areas, direct sunlight is fine.
Temperature: Ariocarpus cacti prefer to be kept at room temperature or slightly lower and in low humidity.
Water: From spring to fall, water your Ariocarpus, but then wait until the soil dries out to water it again. The amount of time this takes will vary depending on your climate and the pot size if you use one. Remember, when dealing with any cactus, watering too often is much worse than not watering enough. Do not water during winter.
Repotting
As your Ariocarpus outgrows its container, you will need to repot it. If you are raising your plant from a seed or cutting, you should wait at least two years before moving it to a larger pot. Moving it sooner could be unhealthy. It is best to wait until your Ariocarpus grows as wide as your pot.
Wait for the soil to dry out, remove your plant as gently as possible and remove all the soil you can. Next, cut off the tip of the main root; this will encourage the growth of new, smaller roots that take in more nutrients. Putting an open, wet cut into the dirt can attract fungus, so allow your Ariocarpus to dry out before planting it again. Now it is time to get your Ariocarpus back into its pot. The easiest way to plant it, rather than struggling to put it in the soil while balancing your plant in the center, is to roll up a newspaper into a cylinder and make a temporary pot. You can wrap it around your plant, and fill it with soil, then once you are finished, put the whole thing into your real pot.
Propagation
Ariocarpus cacti can be grown from seeds and transplanted from cuttings or bare roots. Either way, plant your Ariocarpus in the spring. For a cutting, allow the end to dry out before planting it in the moist cactus mix. Keep the soil slightly moist and mist the cutting regularly. For a seed, plant it and cover it with a layer of sand. Either way, you will want to avoid using too much water on your Ariocarpus. Additionally, you should keep it out of direct sunlight completely until it grows.
Source: doityourself.com
Links
- Back to genus Ariocarpus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus