Ariocarpus agavoides
Habitat:
This succulent is native to Mexico; it grows on rocky limestone hills, and alluvial plains at about 1200 m in altitude.
Description:
A.agavoides is a succulent forming a small rosette of rough, rigid, dark-green tubercles; these are divergent, flaccid, basally compressed, slightly acuminated, 3-7 cm long, 10 mm wide. The stem is greenish-brown, sul-globose, up to 6 cm high. Flowers have magenta outer perianth segments, with greenish-white margins; inner perianth parts are in a darker magenta.
Cultivation:
This succulents does well from hal shade to full sun. It needs moderate water in spring and autumn, and no water at all in winter. It has to be cultivated in a well drained, non-organic soil compost. Growth can be encouraged using a low-nitrogen fertilizer during the growing season. The appearance of Ariocarpus can get benefits from watering the plants from the bottom: this practice will help to avoid becoming matted or discoloured.
Propagation:
Propagation can be done by seeds.
Curiosity:
Two new colonies of Ariocarpus agavoides have been found recently in San Luis Potosi, disjunct from the original site.
