Matucana aurantiaca subs. polzii 

Family

Cactaceae

Native

Peru

Description

 Matucana aurantiaca subs. polzii (Matucana polzii) is a relatively small clustering cactus with a strange squat stems up to 5 cm tall, up to 8-10 cm in diameter. It offsets strongly, with even small heads covered with numerous pups reaching only 2-5 cm across. In age forms huge cushion up to 30-40 cm in diameter whit hundreds of heads.

The spines are are tiny, flexible, pectinate and widely spaced whitish, to brownish-yellow to black on tips, later grey, sometimes slightly curved. Flowers are funnel-shaped, slightly curved, dark carmine red to orange, 5-7 cm long, 3.5-5 cm in diameter.

Environment

The Matucana polzii needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. They do not resist temperatures below 6 ºC.

The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 20% coarse sand or a mixture of garden soil, coarse siliceous sand and vermiculite in the same proportions.

Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting until the substrate has dried. Water very little in autumn and do not water in winter.

Fertilize once in spring with cacti fertilizer mix

Landscape Uses