Distinctive features of the plant, recommendations for home cultivation of eriositse, steps for breeding a cactus, possible difficulties in cultivation and ways to solve them, curious notes, species. Eriosyce is a genus of flora representatives, which belong to one of the oldest plant families - Cactaceae. This exotic specimen of the green world has its origins in South America, which includes the lands of southern Peru, southern and central regions of Chile, as well as western and central regions of Argentina. It is believed that there are up to 35 varieties in the genus.
The plant got its name in Latin due to the combination of two Greek words: "erion", which translates as "wool" and "syko", meaning "fig" or "fig". That is, we can say that eriositsa was represented by the ancients in the form of fruits covered with wool or "woolly fruits". Since most of the Eriosyce varieties grow on the territory of Chile, how similar cacti are referred to among flower growers as "Chilean".
Eriosice is distinguished by stems with spherical outlines, somewhat flattened, which can reach half a meter in diameter. Over time, the cactus stems took on a short-cylindrical shape. At the same time, the height of the plant often reaches 70 cm. However, when grown indoors, this cactus may not exceed indicators in excess of 8 cm. The ribs on the stem are quite clearly expressed (pointed), their number is multiple, sometimes reaching 30 units. Felt pubescence is present on the top of adult cacti. The sizes of the areoles are large, their handicap is rounded, with a woolly coating. In the areoles, spines with powerful and thick outlines originate. These spines are widened at the base and curved. The color of the thorns varies from a deep brown (almost black) color to a light yellow tone. The length of the thorns can vary in the range of 3-5 cm. There are up to 17 radial thorns, and there are only two pairs of thorns that grow in the center.
Eriosyce blooms with cream, yellow, peach, pink or red petals. In full disclosure, their diameter reaches 4 cm, and the length of the flower corolla is 3.5 cm. The corolla of the flower has funnel-shaped outlines. The location of the buds of flower buds in a cactus is at the top of the stem. The formed buds open in the daytime. The flowering process of a cactus occurs in the period from May to August.
After the flowers are pollinated, the fruits ripen up to 4 cm in length. Inside there are seeds of large sizes, with a shiny surface and black color. Interestingly, the seeds of this cactus can begin to germinate while still on the stem. After the fruits are ripe, the plant begins a so-called dormant period, which stretches for a time from mid-autumn to March.
A little earlier, due to the stem with rounded or sharp edges, densely covered with thorns and outlines of flowers, many varieties of eriosice were considered to belong to the genus Echinocactus.
Although the plant is not particularly capricious, those lovers of home flora who already have skills in cultivating cacti can grow it, since Eriosyce can immediately die if, for example, the irrigation regime is violated and not only.
Recommendations for home cultivation of eriosice, care
- Lighting. The location on the windowsill of the southern window is suitable, in other places and during the autumn-winter period, additional lighting will be required.
- Content temperature. In the spring-summer period, room heat is recommended, not higher than 28 degrees, and in the winter months they are reduced to 5 degrees, but not less, otherwise Eriosyce may die.
- Air humidity when growing, it may not be increased and spraying of the cactus is not needed. But most of all, this plant needs ventilation. In spring and summer, it is taken out onto a balcony or terrace.
- Watering. This aspect is the most difficult in caring for a cactus. If the soil is too wet, the root system will rot. In the summer period, eriositse should be watered moderately - about once every 10-15 days. But it is necessary to pay attention to the size of the pot and the indicators of the thermometer. If the latter are lowered or the capacity is large enough, then the plant can be watered even less often. Only warm and soft water is used. It is recommended that a trickle of water fall under the root of the cactus, for this you can use a small watering can with a long spout. From the beginning of autumn, watering begins to be reduced, and since October it is not carried out at all. Eriosice has a resting time. However, if the temperature indicators are not reduced to the recommended 5-9 units, then the cactus will have to be moistened at least once a month. With the onset of March, again, little by little, they begin to water the soil in the pot.
- Fertilizer for Eriosyce. Although the cactus grows on poor substrates, when cultivating it indoors, additional fertilizing will be required. During the period of increased growth (from mid-spring to September), it is recommended to fertilize this plant with preparations intended for succulents and cacti, which provide complete mineral complexes for such representatives of the flora. There are similar products in the line "Bona Forte", "Flower Happiness", "Pokon", "Etisso". It's also best to pick up a liquid fertilizer to add to your irrigation water.
- Transplant and advice on soil selection. This cactus grows rather slowly, so you should not often change the pot and the soil in it (only once every 3-4 years), many cactus growers do not transplant it at all. The pot chosen for eriositse is small, only 15–20 cm in diameter, preferably made of clay, but its depth should be sufficient because of the root, like a carrot. When planting or transplanting, it is important to remember that the eriosice root is quite sensitive and since its shape is repetitive, it will need a lot of space. They try to choose such a container so that the distance between the stem and the edge of the flowerpot is about 2 cm. If this rule is not followed, then flowering can not wait. It is advised to use square pots to enhance decorativeness. But it is recommended to put a drainage layer on the bottom of the pot. To make the cactus feel comfortable, it is important to choose the right substrate that is used for planting. As in natural conditions, the soil must be depleted. You can use a ready-made commercial soil mixture for succulents or cacti, or compose it yourself, relying on the fact that the acidity indicators should be in the range of pH 5, 2-6, and the soil is better to be loose and light. To do this, mix leafy soil, turf, fine gravel or pieces of red brick of the same size (necessarily sifted from dust) and river sand in proportions of 3: 2: 4: 1. Many cactus connoisseurs recommend adding a little clay. If such a mixture will have sufficient permeability to air or moisture, then drainage can not be placed in the pot.
Steps in breeding eriositse
This cactus can be propagated by sowing seeds or rooting lateral shoots (babies).
Eriositse can be propagated by children that have formed on the sides, but such processes arise only during long-term cultivation of a cactus. If for a long time the plant is continued to cultivate in this way, then its degeneration occurs. Therefore, to preserve the varieties, experienced cactus growers periodically try to grow Eriosyce from seeds. This method is simpler and seeds can be purchased at flower shops, since fruiting indoors is not easy to achieve.
For sowing seed, a special soil is used, designed for cacti and succulents, which can be purchased at a flower shop. Since the seeds are quite small, they are distributed over the surface of the substrate without covering. Germination is carried out at a temperature of about 20-25 degrees and a constant level of humidity. This can be achieved by placing a piece of glass on the container with crops or covering it with transparent polyethylene. In this case, it is necessary to carry out regular ventilation in order to remove accumulated drops of condensation.
Seedlings grow rather slowly. And only when thorns appear on young eriosits, it is recommended to transplant in separate pots with drainage at the bottom and a selected substrate.
Possible difficulties in home cultivation of eriosice and ways to solve them
Although this cactus is considered quite hardy, when grown in rooms, it can die from violations of the conditions of care, namely, due to too much waterlogging of the substrate. This inevitably leads to the onset of putrefactive processes in the root system and, as a result, stem decay and the death of the epiosis. To prevent these troubles, it is recommended to properly maintain the watering regime, periodically dry the soil in the pot and treat it with fungicides. The frequency of such operations should be only 3-4 times a year, then the likelihood of such diseases decreases.
If the humidity is too low, the plant becomes a target for mealybugs. It is not difficult to notice this pest, since it manifests itself in the form of small cotton-like lumps of whitish color. It is recommended for treatment to carry out treatment with insecticidal preparations with a repetition in a week.
Curious notes about eriositsa
The eriosice cactus is a rather rare "guest" in flower shops, so the plant is very much appreciated by collectors. However, if you have a desire to purchase such an unusual sample of Chilean flora, then you should go to specialized flower fairs or ask for help on the Internet.
This genus has existed since 1872. It was at this time that the paleontologist and naturalist from Germany Rudolph Amandus (Rodolfo Amando) Filippi (1808–1904), who was also studying botany and zoology, came to the conclusion (as well as many other experts in flora) that it was worth removing eriositus from the genus Echinocactus (Echinocactus). The same opinion has been expressed by other botanical scientists over a hundred-year period. To this day, the plant bears two almost unused names in relation to it - Neoporteria and Neochilenia. The third term is Islaya, which is used to name a monotypic genus containing one species.
Eriosice species
Horned Eriosyce (Eriosyce ceratistes). This cactus is large in size and has a spherical stem with several barrel-shaped outlines. The stem can reach a height of about half a meter with the same diameter. On the surface, there are more than 30 ribs, rather strongly protruding and covered with densely spaced spines. These spines are almost impossible to divide into central and radial ones. The length of all spines varies in the range of 3-4 cm and their color is very varied, it varies from rich brown and golden yellow to reddish shades. During flowering, buds are formed with red petals. When opening, the flower measures 4 cm in diameter. The place where flower buds are laid is the top of the stem. The native lands of growth of this variety fall on rather wide territories, from an altitude of 300 m above sea level (low plateaus) to 2800 m of absolute height (mountainous regions).
Eriosyce golden (Eriosyce aurata). This plant was found near the city of Rio Molle (Chile - Coquimbo). The shape of the stem of the cactus is spherical-barrel-shaped. This variety is distinguished by the color of the thorns, which has a golden hue. But scientists have proven that this species is only a form of another species - Eriosyce ceratistes, but characterized by an unusual color of thorns.
Eriosyce napina. The plant can be found from the coastline of Chile to the southern territories up to Freirina (Juasco Valley, Atacama Desert). It grows in these arid regions of the planet, on rocky and sandy substrates, it can grow on sandy-clay soil. The growth height is 200 m above sea level. It is a tiny geophyte, with a single stem with spherical or flattened outlines. The root is slow-growing, thick and large, somewhat reminiscent of a carrot. A narrowing is observed between the stem and the root. The stems of this cactus grow slowly, reaching only 3-5 cm in diameter, stretching only about 2-6 cm in height. Their color varies from greenish to brown, but often the stem has brownish-olive-gray tones.
Areoles on the stem of a gray shade, the spines are very short, reminiscent of the black color of the rays. When blooming, the size of a flower can be 3.5 cm in length with a diameter of about 4–6 cm. The color of the petals is whitish, yellow, pinkish to a pale brick-red shade with a silky sheen. Buds with densely pubescent hairs, brown. The flowering process occurs in late spring. After pollination, large fruits of a red hue ripen, as if wrapped in white wool.
Eriosyce crispa (F. Ritter) Katt. Origin and habitat: From Juasco north of Totoral Bajo, Atacama, Chile. These lands include the coastal regions of South America. The species is quite resilient even in these arid regions, but this area is distinguished not by the amount of precipitation, but by dense coastal fogs. Fog tends to concentrate as a cloud strip at an altitude of 500 to 850 m. It shows a repeating pattern of terrain; it is usually cloudy in the early morning, then the clouds dissipate by noon and return at the end of the day. The plant often buries itself in the ground and is almost impossible to find without flowers. Due to occasional rainfall, this vegetation has more consistency and continuity than other flora spread further north.
This species is presented as a flat cylindrical cactus, slowly growing and reaching up to 10 cm in diameter. The stem is blackish, brownish or dark olive green, often with a grayish white waxy coating. There are versions that this is necessary for the cactus to prevent drying out in extremely dry climates. During cultivation, a white waxy coating is often not reproduced, which indicates a brownish epidermis.
Roots: fibrous, arising from short root crops. The root system is often divided by a narrower neck. Ribs noticeably tuberous, areoles, often slightly recessed to the surface of the stem and woolen. Koblyuchki: black or brown, more or less curved upward and twisted, which are difficult to separate into central or radial. Central spines: 1–5, more or less thick, reaching 15–80 mm in length. Radial spines: 6–14, thin, sometimes bristly, 10–50 mm long.
Flowers can reach a length of 3, 5–5 cm. Corolla is wide and funnel-shaped, located on the tops of young areoles. The petals are white, pinkish or reddish with red or brownish median edges. Fruiting occurs with berries with a more or less elongated shape, pink-red color.
