Chin cactus

Family

Cactaceae

Native

Argentina

Description

Gymnocalycium quhilianum is a spherical cactus with a swollen underground root system. The plant body has significant chin humps below the large woolly and peculiar areoles. The plants typically got a dark greenish red-violet-brown body colour & grows to 5 cm tall by 7 cm wide, with white spines and white, daisy-like flowers in summer. 

Environment

Gymnocalycium tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer. The soil is usually a rich sandy loam. Rains are frequent during the summer.

Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater. Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.

Landscape Uses

It is an excellent plant for garden rockery settings, desert type landscapes, patios and botanical gardens