Astrophytum niveum (Astrophytum capricorne var. niveum)

Astrophytum niveum

Family: Cactaceae

Native to Mexico. Robust, at first globular then cylindrical up to 50 cm tall, diameter up to 20 cm (this size correspond in habitat to a 50 years old plant). The epidermis is densely covered with white flecks that give the plant a furry look. The hairy scales are pure white also in the new growth, while in the type species the new flecks are initially brownish and turn into white only lately.

Sowing instructions: Fill a pot with a moist, gritty, loam-based compost, or cacti compost. Gently firm down and level the surface. Scatter your mixed cactus seeds over the surface, taking care not to sow them too thickly. Gently sprinkle a thin layer of vermiculite or fine grit over the seeds, covering the whole surface of the compost. Leave the pot in a greenhouse or on a warm windowsill, covered with a clear plastic bag to preserve soil moisture. Seedlings will develop within a few weeks. Remove the plastic bag and water when the compost becomes dry, but spray the surface with water regularly, to keep it moist. For more information you can visit the following website – https://trexplants.com/blog/care-diary-how-to-grow-astrophytum-asterias

Locality: Ex Hort. Harvest: April 2024