by Allysah
(Canada)
This is for our desert project.
Drought Smart Plants reply:
Hi Allysah, I’m not an expert on cacti identification, as there are so many different kinds.
Based on the flower colour, I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that this may be a member of the Parodia species, also still called Notocactus, which is their old name.
In general, all cacti require very well drained soil – this is very important. A cactus without good drainage and that gets overwatered will die fairly quickly.
Their roots are of two types – in some cases they have a long taproot which is used more for anchoring the plant in the soil, and then a lot of shallower roots that are close to the surface and ready at a moments notice to slurp up any rainfall.
Water with tepid (lukewarm) water, and preferably either rainwater, or distilled water. Sometimes the chemicals in tap water or well water can be harmful.
It is also important that they are allowed to dry out completely between watering, as this is what they have adapted to in their natural habitat.
This type of watering is also necessary to promote blooming – flowering is triggered by a long period of drought, followed by a week or so of deep watering.
This makes the plant think that spring is finally here, and it’s time to bloom. The blooms of many cacti are spectacular, brightly coloured and huge for the size of the plant.
They also require bright light, as bright as possible, although sudden changes are not very good for them.
Sometimes moving cacti from a less bright place to a really bright place (ie: west facing window) can be too much for them, and they’ll get sunburn. They appreciate a summer on a warm porch, but partly shade them especially in the hot afternoon.
Here’s hoping your desert project is successful!
Jacki
See also this page:
Cacti and Succulents
Comments for A round cactus with flowering top.
Oct 21, 2011
Thank you so much!
by: Allysah
Thank you so much! We really appreciate your help.
Oct 21, 2011
Dried Flower
by: Anonymous
Looks to me like a dried flower that’s been hot glued to the top of the cactus. The big wholesalers [like Sorensens in Ontario] do that to help the big box stores they sell them to, to sell their plants faster. If it’s still there blooming away in a couple of weeks, that’s what it is. Sorry to rain on your parade!
Amy
Oct 23, 2011
They wouldn’t – would they?
by: Jacki
Oh, I must be so naive! As a grower and horticulturist, I can’t imagine being so disrespectful to the buying public, or the plants by using such a low down tactic to sell more plants! It seems there is no limit to the depths that some outfits will go…
