Care of the cactus Escobaria vivipara or Spinystar |
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The genus Escobaria, family Cactaceae, comprises 23 species of cacti distributed from northern Mexico to southern Canada. Some species are: Escobaria vivipara, Escobaria sneedii, Escobaria chihuahuensis, Escobaria missouriensis, Escobaria tuberculosa. Common names: Beehive Cactus, Arizona Beehave, Bisbee Beehave Cactus, Biscuit Cactus, Desert Beehave Cactus, Desert Cactus, Foxtail Cactus, Hens and Chichens, Kaibab Beahave kactus, Rose Beehave Cactus, Showy Pincushion, Spiny Star Cactus, Pincushion Cactus, Spinystar. Scientific synonyms: Coryphantha vivipara, Mammillaria vivipara. This species is native to Mexico, United States and Canada. They are small cacti with a green epidermis and a solitary globose body that reach 5 cm (1.96") in diameter. They have tubers with round, woolly areoles with 12-20 white radial spines and 4 reddish central spines. The flowers are pink in color and appear at the apex of the cactus. Beehive Cactus is used in pots for balconies, windows, terraces, patios and greenhouses. Escobaria vivipara needs full sun exposure. It resists occasional frosts if the substrate is dry. The soil can be a mixture of 75% leaf mulch or heather soil and 25% siliceous sand. Always water moderately, waiting until the substrate has completely dried. Do not water in winter. Spiny Star Cactus does not need fertilizers or pruning. Pincushion Cactus is sensitive to excess moisture. Arizona Beehave propagates easily from seeds sown in spring. Sometimes it produces suckers that can be separated for their rooting. |
Images of the cactus Escobaria vivipara or Spinystar |
 Escobaria vivipara  Escobaria vivipara |