Small round cactus with small spines protruding out of white patches
by Mike Milne
(Cape Town, South Africa)
Hi
Could you please assist me by identifying this succulent.
It's a small round cactus with small spines protruding out of white patches in symmetrical patterns all over the body.
Thanks Mike
Drought Smart Plants reply:
Hi Mike, your little cactus could possibly be one of the many genera and species that are commonly grown in warm greenhouses and on household windowsills. I'm sorry I don't have more information for you, cacti are not my forte!
Some of the most common ones are:
Chamaecereus
Coryphanta
Echinopsis
Gymnocalycium
Lobivia
Lobivopsis
Mammilaria
Also grown as rock plants in warmer areas are these other genera;
Carnegiea
Cephalocereus
Cereum
Echinocactus
Epostoa
Ferocactus
Lemairocereus
Opuntia
All are drought hardy, and prefer to be thoroughly dried out before watering again. This is important particularly with newly potted plants.
It's also very important not to 'over pot' your plant, by putting it into a much larger pot than it requires.
Only repot these plants into a slightly larger pot each time, to combat the risk of root rot.
Use only a very lean soil, consisting of a large ratio of gravel, mixed with a small amount of regular potting soil.
It's absolutely necessary for the mix to drain fast.
In time, your cactus may produce brightly coloured flowers, which are only formed after prolonged drought, and then a good 'rain fall' or watering.
You can replicate these conditions by withholding water until the surface of the plant actually shrivels, and then resume watering.
It's essential that you give your plant the brightest light possible - these desert plants won't grow in shade, or dim conditions indoors.
See more about cacti here:
Cacti and Succulents
Hardy Cacti
Cactus Plants
Happy Desert Gardening!
Jacki
PS: Mike, if you do find out the correct identification, I'd love to know what you find out!
