Care of the plant Coryphantha octacantha or Cactus octacanthus |
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The genus Coryphantha, family Cactaceae, includes 40 species of cactus native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Coryphantha octacantha, Coryphantha maiz-tablasensis, Coryphantha macromeris, Coryphantha elephantides, Coryphantha durangensis, Coryphantha cornifera, Coryphantha compacta, Coryphantha andreae, Coryphantha sulcata, Coryphantha werdermannii, Coryphantha recurvata, Coryphantha ottonis, Coryphantha pallida. This species is native to Aguascalientes, Guanajauto, Hidalgo, and Querétaro, Mexico. They are bluish-green or grayish-green cacti with a cylindrical body that reach 30 cm (11.8") in height. They have conical tubercles 1.5 cm (0.59") long with woolly armpits and yellow or red glands. 8-10 radial spines and 1-4 central spines up to 2 cm (0.78") long appear on the woolly areoles. The flowers are 4 cm (1.57") in diameter and are yellow with red and green tones. They are used in pots and planters but are also ideal for rockeries and cactus and succulent gardens; They are slow-growing cacti. Coryphantha octacantha prefers light shade exposure and warm temperatures. In winter the temperature should not be less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture, in equal parts, of coarse siliceous sand and leaf mulch or a commercial cactus substrate. Water moderately, always waiting for the soil to completely dry out. In winter there is no need to water. Fertilize in mid-spring with mineral cactus fertilizer. Pruning is not necessary. They are resistant to pests and diseases if the humidity is not excessive. They propagate by seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the plant Coryphantha octacantha or Cactus octacanthus |
 Coryphantha octacantha |