Care of the cactus Gymnocalycium mostii or Most's Gymnocalycium |
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The genus Gymnocalycium, family Cactaceae, comprises 60 species of cacti native to South America. Some species are: Gymnocalycium mostii, Gymnocalycium baldianum, Gymnocalycium saglionis, Gymnocalycium damsii, Gymnocalycium denudatum, Gymnocalycium pflanzii, Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, Gymnocalycium andreae, Gymnocalycium platense. Common name: Most's Gymnocalycium. Scientific synonyms: Echinocactus mostii. This species is native to Córdoba, Argentina. They are small dark green cacti with a globose body with a sunken apex that reach 8 cm (3.14") in height and 13 cm (5.11") in diameter. They have up to 14 broad ribs with rounded-edged tubercles. The radial spines (7-9) are curved and the only central spine is straight. The showy red flowers are bell-shaped. They bloom in summer. They are used in pots and planters due to their small size. Gymnocalycium mostii can grow in full sun exposure but prefers light shade avoiding the midday sun. In winter the temperature should not be less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of coarse siliceous sand and leaf mulch or a commercial cactus substrate. Water moderately at the rate of one watering every 12-14 days in spring and autumn, every 5-7 days in summer and do not water in winter. Fertilize in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti. They do not need pruning. They are sensitive plants to excess humidity. They propagate from seeds; they do not usually produce suckers. |
Images of the cactus Gymnocalycium mostii or Most's Gymnocalycium |
 Gymnocalycium mostii  Gymnocalycium mostii |