Care of the cacti Echinopsis ancistrophora or Lobivia arachnacantha |
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The genus Echinopsis, family Cactaceae, comprises 150 species of cactus native to South America. Some species are: Echinopsis ancistrophora, Echinopsis oxygona, Echinopsis chiloensis, Echinopsis candicans, Echinopsis subdenudata, Echinopsis atacamensis, Echinopsis chamaecereus, Echinopsis schickendantzii, Echinopsis mamillosa, Echinopsis bruchii, Echinopsis tarijensis, Echinopsis schieliana, Echinopsis spachiana, Echinopsis pachanoi, Echinopsis rhodotricha, Echinopsis huascha, Echinopsis peruviana, Echinopsis aurea. This species is native to Salta and Tucuman, Argentina. They are small cacti with a glossy dark green color and globular body that form tight groups that reach 8 cm (3.14") in height. They have 14 ribs with tubers and white woolly areolas. The radial spines are 10-14 and are light in color. The central spines can be from 0 to 2. The flowers are usually red; there are yellow or white varieties. Very young specimens can bloom. They are mainly used in pots and planters for patios, terraces, balconies, greenhouses or bright and well-ventilated interiors. With age they form large groups that can be grown in frost-free rockery. Echinopsis ancistrophora can be grown in full sun or light shade exposure. Do not expose them to temperatures below 2 ºC (35.6 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 3/4 of heather soil or leaf mulch and 1/4 of coarse sand. If the pot is too small, they can be transplanted in spring. They need a little more water than usual; water every 5-7 days in summer, every 10-12 days in spring, every 15-20 days in autumn and do not water in winter. Fertilize with mineral cactus fertilizer once in spring and once in summer. They do not need pruning. They are plants resistant to pests and diseases if the ventilation is correct and there is no excess humidity. They propagate easily from the rooting of suckers or from seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the cacti Echinopsis ancistrophora or Lobivia arachnacantha |
 Echinopsis ancistrophora  Echinopsis ancistrophora |