Care of the cactus Gymnocalycium schroederianum or Gymnocalycium hyptiacanthum ssp. schroederianum |
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The genus Gymnocalycium, family Cactaceae, includes more than 60 species of cacti native to South America. Some species are: Gymnocalycium schroederianum, Gymnocalycium gibbosum, Gymnocalycium spegazzinii, Gymnocalycium saglionis, Gymnocalycium damsii, Gymnocalycium baldianum, Gymnocalycium mostii, Gymnocalycium denudatum, Gymnocalycium schickendantzii, Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, Gymnocalycium vatteri, Gymnocalycium andreae, Gymnocalycium pflanzii, Gymnocalycium platense. Scientific synonym: Gymnocalycium hyptiacanthum ssp. schroederianum. This species is native to Argentina and Uruguay. Gymnocalycium schroederianum is a dark green-grey cactus with a globular body that is very flattened at the apex, reaching 15 cm (5.9") in diameter but only 5 cm in height. It has 15-18 ribs with tubercles and woolly oval areoles with 5-7 radial spines up to 2 cm (0.78") long and white. At the apex of the cactus appear attractive white flowers with a greenish centre. It blooms in summer, even in young specimens. Gymnocalycium hyptiacanthum ssp. schroederianum is used in pots for patios and terraces and as an indoor plant next to a sunny window. Gymnocalycium schroederianum prefers light shade exposure, avoiding direct sun during the hottest hours of the day. It resists light and occasional frosts if the substrate is dry. The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate to which a handful of coarse sand will be added. Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting for the substrate to be completely dry. Reduce watering in autumn and do not water in winter. Fertilize monthly during the summer with mineral fertilizer for cacti. Pruning is not necessary. Gymnocalycium schroederianum can be attacked by insects if there is not good ventilation and by fungi if there is excess humidity, but in general it does not present serious problems with pests and diseases. Gymnocalycium hyptiacanthum ssp. schroederianum is propagated from seeds sown at the end of winter in a sandy seedbed. If it produces shoots, it can be propagated by division. |
Images of the cactus Gymnocalycium schroederianum or Gymnocalycium hyptiacanthum ssp. schroederianum |
 Gymnocalycium schroederianum  Gymnocalycium schroederianum |