Consulta Plantas

Care of the cactus Eriosyce taltalensis or Neoporteria taltalensis

The genus Eriosyce, family Cactaceae, includes 35 species of cactus native to Chile, Peru, and Argentina. Some species are: Eriosyce taltalensis, Eriosyce senilis, Eriosyce paucicostata, Eriosyce napina, Eriosyce esmeraldana, Eriosyce crispa, Eriosyce curvispina.

Scientific synonyms: Neochilenia taltalensis, Neoporteria taltalensis, Pyrrhocactus taltalensis. This species is native to Atacama, Chile.

They are cacti with a spherical body, solitary and of a blackish green or brown color that reach 12 cm (4.72") in diameter. They have 11-15 ribs with white oval areoles that have 5-11 dark radial spines and 6-12 long central spines (4 cm/1.57" in length). The flowers appear at the apex of the plant and can be cream, yellow, red, fuchsia pink or white.

They are used in pots and planters because of their small size. If grown indoors, they should be located in well-ventilated areas.

Eriosyce taltalensis needs direct sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. The winter safety temperature is 3 ºC (37.4 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of coarse siliceous sand, clay garden substrate, and vermiculite. The transplant is done in early spring.

Water moderately waiting for the substrate to be dry. They resist drought very well. In winter there is no need to water.

Fertilize in mid-spring with mineral cactus fertilizer.

Pruning is not necessary.

The main dangers for these plants are overwatering and high humidity caused by poor ventilation.

Propagation is a slow and difficult process from seeds sown in spring in a seedbed with a slightly humid sandy substrate.

Images of the cactus Eriosyce taltalensis or Neoporteria taltalensis