Scientific Name
Parodia schumanniana (Nicolai) F.H. Brandt
Synonyms
Parodia schumanniana subsp. schumanniana, Parodia warasii, Echinocactus buchheimianus, Malacocarpus grossei, Malacocarpus schumannianus, Notocactus grossei f. aureispinus, Notocactus schumannianus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Notocacteae
Genus: Parodia
Description
Parodia schumanniana is a cactus with globular to columnar stems that grow up to 6 feet (1.8 m) tall and up to 12 inches (30 cm) in diameter. It has 21 to 48 straight, sharp, well-marked ribs. Spines are bristle-like, straight to slightly curved, initially golden yellow, turning to brown or red and gray later. The one to three central spines, which can sometimes also be absent, are up to 3 inches (1.2 cm) long. Flowers appear in summer. They are lemon yellow to golden yellow and up 2.6 inches (6.5 cm) in diameter. Fruits are spherical to oval, up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter, and covered with dense wool and bristles.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the popular Parodia without too much trouble. However, it's key to remember that Parodias don't like direct sunlight and are accustomed to more even water than many other cacti species. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. To encourage better flowering, allow the plants to enjoy a cooling period in the winter and dramatically cut back watering. Unlike other cacti species, however, you don't need to entirely stop watering. Lastly, make sure to fertilizer during the growing season for the best results.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a cactus, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. See more at How to Grow and Care for Parodia.
Origin
Native to southern Brazil, southern Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina.
Links
- Back to genus Parodia
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
