Rebutia arenacea is a recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the UK's Royal Horticultural Society.
Scientific Name
Rebutia arenacea Cárdenas
Common Name(s)
Arenaceous Crown Cactus
Synonym(s)
Sulcorebutia arenacea, Weingartia arenacea
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Rebutia
Etymology
The specific epithet "arenacea (ah-RENY-see-uh)" means "sandy" and refers to the appearance of the spines of the species.
Origin
Rebutia arenacea is native to central Bolivia. It occurs in the Department of Cochabamba at elevations that range from 6,560 to 11,150 feet (2,000 to 3,400 m).
Description
Rebutia arenacea, also known as Sulcorebutia arenacea or Weingartia arenacea, is a small cactus with a spherical, usually solitary stem with about 30 spiraled, strongly tuberculate ribs. The stem is covered in tiny pectinate spines that lie flat against it, giving it a sandy appearance. It can grow up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) tall and 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter and produce offsets after reaching a certain size and age. The color of the stem ranges from yellowish and greenish to brownish and purple. The areoles are creamy-grey and elongated, and each bears 14 to 16 spines that can be whitish, yellowish, amber, or tan. The spines can measure up to 0.15 inches (0.4 cm) long.
From late winter to spring, Rebutia arenacea produces a profusion of yellow to yellowish-orange flowers that can reach up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. The reddish-brown fruits measure up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) in diameter.
How to Grow and Care for Rebutia arenacea
Light: While it grows well in direct sunlight, Rebutia arenacea prefers partial shade during midday in the summer. A sunny window would be ideal if you are growing the cactus indoors.
Soil: Having soil with good drainage is most important for a healthy plant. You can use a commercial soil mix from cacti or make your own.
Temperature: As a mountain plant, this cactus does not appreciate high temperatures and grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C).
Watering: During the growing season, water Rebutia arenacea frequently, but allow the soil to completely dry out before watering again. However, when it goes dormant in the winter, stop the watering.
Fertilizing: Although unnecessary, using a low-balanced soluble fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength can help your cactus thrive. However, suspend the feeding in winter.
Repotting: It is recommended to repot a young plant each year in early spring. On the other hand, a mature plant only needs to be repotted when it outgrows its pot. Late winter or early spring is the best time for repotting.
Propagation: You can propagate Rebutia arenacea by offsets or seeds. Remove the offsets when the plant is actively growing and sow the seeds in the spring.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Rebutia.
Toxicity of Rebutia arenacea
Rebutia arenacea has no toxic effects reported.
Links
- Back to genus Rebutia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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