Cacti of the genus Ariocarpus

They make themselves rare in their Mexican homeland. In the local regions, cacti of the genus Ariocarpus are only associated with a Cites certification available, guaranteeing that this is indeed a bred specimen acts. The following varieties of wool fruit cactus also owe their exposed position to their star-shaped habit, the woolly areoles and an enchanting flower. If you have already gained experience in cactus culture, the door to the Ariocarpus adventure is wide open, because the plan will succeed with the following care tips.

Characteristics

• plant family cactus (Cactaceae)
• Genus: Ariocarpus
• Number of species: 10 to 22
• native to the mountains of Mexico and southwest Texas
• Growth height: 2 to 10 cm
• Diameter: 5 to 10 cm
• triangular warts with woolly areoles
• white to pink flowers from September to January
• Not hardy
• other names: wool fruit cactus, star cactus

Beautiful varieties and species

Start here on a foray through the most attractive representatives of a striking cactus genus:

Ariocarpus agavoides

The dark green to grey-green, semicircular body is almost completely hidden in the ground. Visible are the pointed warts, up to 4 cm long, with the tip bent back. Thorns are usually completely absent. The areoles are hairy and brownish in color. The pink-colored funnel flower reaches a diameter of almost 5 cm.

• Growth height: 4-5 cm
• Diameter: 3-8cm

Ariocarpus bravoanus

This variety has very conspicuous areoles of elliptical shape and woolly appearance. Together with the cream-colored, yellowish or pink-magenta colored flower, a pretty contrast is created. These cacti do not have thorns.

• Growth height: 5-10 cm
• Diameter: 3-9cm

Ariocarpus fissuratus – called Sunami

With its ridged epidermis, this cactus draws everyone's attention. At this point it becomes clear why these cacti are also popularly referred to as 'living rocks'. The grey-green warts are 2.5 cm wide at the base and taper to a point. The purple flowers always sprout from the youngest areoles, so they unfold in the center of the plant. As is typical for most species and varieties, the thorns are absent here as well.

• Growth height: 8-15 cm
• Diameter 8-10 cm

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus – called edelweiss cactus

At 1,000 francs, the highest price paid by a collector to date was paid for the edelweiss cactus, which underlines the special status of this genus. While the thorns are missing here, the variety impresses with woolly areoles and a purple or pink flower in autumn.

• Growth height: 5-10 cm
• Diameter: 4-7cm

Ariocarpus retusus

You will mostly look in vain for areoles here or they are almost invisible at the top. With thorns, the species is also not proven. It makes up for this with a funnel-shaped flower in white to pale pink and a woolly crown.

• Growth height: 7-9 cm
• Diameter: 10-25cm

Ariocarpus scapharostrus

Only the dark green to brown warts protrude from the ground here. Translated, the name is Schnabel, which aptly describes the visual appearance. If it weren't for the violet flower, which can be up to 4 cm in diameter, this species of cactus would easily be overlooked. It is therefore not surprising that it is on the red list of endangered species.

• Growth height: 5-10 cm
• Diameter: 3-7cm

Ariocarpus trigonus

With a height of more than 10 cm, Trigonus is one of the 'giants' of this genus and will also catch the eye on the windowsill in view of its considerable diameter. This is especially true in autumn and winter, when the yellow funnel-shaped flowers rise above the crown.

• Growth height: 10-13 cm
• Diameter: 10-30cm

care tips

The central challenge in the care of cacti of the genus Ariocarpus is to keep the large, fleshy taproot healthy. In relation to the growth height of a maximum of 10 cm, the deep-reaching roots represent by far the largest proportion of the biomass of these cactus plants. If the care does not consistently take into account the special archetypal requirements, the beet root is exposed to a devastating rot. All other requirements for successful cultivation follow; are, however, considered to be just as essential.

Location

The perfect spot for a woolly cactus is under glass where there is adequate light and heat.

• keeping them in a greenhouse or cold frame is ideal
• alternatively a place at the sunny south window of the house
• a daily amount of light of 16-19 hours is mandatory
• an indoor area exposed to artificial light can only be considered as an emergency solution

Another aspect of cultivation marks the special position of Ariocarpus cacti in the plant kingdom. Remarkably, their rest period extends from May to August. This is accompanied by the fact that special expenses with regard to the choice of location are unnecessary. The temperature minimum of 0 °C during the growing season should not even come close to being feared, even under the most unfavorable weather conditions.

substrate

All types of star cactus prefer a calcareous and loamy soil. A pH of 7-8 is ideal. Experts therefore advocate a clay/loam mixture that is given additional permeability through the addition of minerals. Pumice, perlite, lava granules or seramis are suitable here. Since the cacti thrive in their natural range mainly in the rubble of the mountains, a purely inorganic substrate such as vermiculite or acadama is also an option.

watering and fertilizing

The water supply, in turn, takes into account the special position of the beet root, which is really very sensitive to moisture. This is how you design the watering of Ariocarpus professionally:

• always water from below by placing the pot in a bowl of water.
• after the substrate has been completely saturated, it dries out again in the following weeks
• the weekly thumb test determines the precise watering rhythm
• From the beginning of May, watering is less frequent, followed by a 6-week watering break from July to August

The cacti of the genus Ariocarpus require only a minimum of additional nutrients. Fertilize the plants every 4 weeks from the end of August to the end of April with a liquid cactus fertilizer. Do not fertilize during the dormant period.

multiply

Propagation is only possible by sowing. Seeds are available in well-stocked specialist shops and should be as fresh as possible. The offspring can be carried out all year round, according to the following procedure:

• Fill the seed pots with coconut fibers or a potting soil-sand mix in a ratio of 1:2
• Scatter the seeds and press down just a little as a light germinator
• water from below and move to a superbly lit indoor greenhouse
• the temperature level should be constantly above 25 °C
• transplant into individual pots after germination and care for them like an adult woolly cactus

This form of propagation nevertheless requires a long line of patience. Initially, germination takes many weeks to several months. You will only be able to look forward to the first flowers after a few years.

Editor's conclusion

It is undoubtedly a challenge, the successful care of cacti of the genus Ariocarpus with their phenomenal varieties. However, the experienced hobby gardener does not have to overcome insurmountable hurdles. Those who adjust to the extraordinary growth characteristics and the atypical dormancy during the summer will lure out the pretty flowers and woolly areoles. The practical care tips also help to safely avoid one or the other cliff.

Worth knowing about Ariocarpus shortly

Characteristics

• The cacti originally come from the dry gypsum and limestone plains of Mexico.
• They occur at altitudes of 200 to 2,000 meters.
• In their natural habitat, the cacti can easily be overlooked as they dig into the ground during the dry season.
• The size of the cacti varies. Depending on the species, they can reach a height of between 4 and 30 cm and a diameter of up to 30 cm.
• The flowers are hermaphroditic and not very large. Because of this, they are often very numerous.
• The petals can be white, cream, yellow, red, or purple. Two-tone shades are also available.

Care

• The Ariocarpus hibernate between November and March at 4 to 8 °C, completely dry in a bright place.
• The plant substrate should be airy and mineral and ensure good water drainage.
• The addition of pumice gravel, perlite, expanded slate or seramis is therefore ideal.
• In addition, a clay/loam mixture is used, to which fertilizer gypsum (not plaster of paris) is added.
• Propagation is from seeds. However, the plants grow very slowly.
• The genus Ariocarpus is often kept under glass because it is easier to get them to flower that way.

irrigation

• Casting is only very moderate. Ariocarpus species require less water than other cacti.
• The soil must dry properly between waterings.
• In the case of large, older plants, you can take a break from watering in the summer (July/August). This promotes flowering.
• In winter, you should not water from November to March. This dry phase is also important for growth and flowering.
• Waterlogging should generally be avoided. If the plants are outside in summer, they should be protected from rain.
• Also, you should never pour on the parting wool. It is best to water the cacti from below.

protection of species

All cacti with the designation Ariocarpus may only be sold commercially with a CITES certificate (Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). In their homeland, cacti without spines are particularly endangered. They are severely decimated by intensive pastoralism. Goats and cows radically eat away the plant parts above ground.

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