Care of the cacti Copiapoa malletiana or Echinocactus malletianus |
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The genus Copiapoa, family Cactaceae, comprises 25 species of cactus native to northern Chile. Some species are: Copiapoa malletiana, Copiapoa krainziana, Copiapoa humilis, Copiapoa grandiflora, Copiapoa echinoides, Copiapoa cinerea, Copiapoa calderana, Copiapoa haseltoniana, Copiapoa coquimbana, Copiapoa taltalensis, Copiapoa marginata. This species is native to Atacama, Chile. They are small, slow-growing cacti that can form colonies 2 meters (6.56 feet) in diameter. The body is cylindrical and has a whitish layer on the epidermis. They have 15-33 ribs and the apex covered with wool. Radial spines can be 4-7 and have only one central spine. The flowers are small, yellow, and appear on the top of the cactus. They are used in pots and planters, in rockeries and in gardens of cacti and succulents. Copiapoa malletiana needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. In winter the temperature should not be lower than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 75% commercial cactus substrate and 25% coarse siliceous sand. Water moderately waiting for the substrate to be completely dry. In winter they should not be watered. Fertilize with mineral fertilizer for cacti in mid spring and early summer. Pruning is not necessary. The main danger for these plants is excess humidity. They propagate by rooting of suckers or by seeds but they are slow processes. |
Images of the cacti Copiapoa malletiana or Echinocactus malletianus |
 Copiapoa malletiana  Copiapoa malletiana |