Escobaria is a genus of cacti with about 25 species native to desert areas of the Atlantic and North American continents (Canada, the southeastern United States, and Mexico). Escobaria minima and Escobaria sneedii are now very rare in the wild and are legally protected species. Escobaria minima grows naturally only in a narrow zone in Brewster County, Texas, on a specific novaculite substrate.
Escobaria species are small plants with spherical or cylindrical stems. They grow in clusters. Flowers appear in late spring or early summer and vary in color by species, from purple, pink, and red to green and yellow.
Growing Conditions
Light: Escobarias love bright light exposure but generally not direct sun. The risk of sunburn is especially high in summer during the hottest hours of the day.
Soil: The soil needs to be well-draining. Despite the small size, these plants develop a branched root system with extremely thin, fragile tubercles.
Temperature: Average winter temperatures should be between 42°F and 46°F (6°C and 8°C). Adult plants can withstand some frost, but only if the temperatures rise quickly.
General Care
Escobarias are very susceptible to rot and, therefore, require well-draining soil. Avoid watering during the winter, when the plants are dormant. Watering Escobarias in cold conditions will almost certainly kill the plant.
Propagation
The seed germination rate is lower than that of other genera, and other propagation methods, such as offsets or cuttings, are preferable.
Source: seedscactus.com
Links
- Back to genus Escobaria
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus