Synonyms:

Echinocactus ritteri

Habitat:

Aztekium ritteri is endemic to Nuevo León, a Mexican state. Though the number of populations of this species are reduced, numerous individuals grow on each colony. It is threatened by illegal collecting, though this practice ( and conservation/monitoring ones as well) is made difficult by the inaccessibility of many of the sites in which the species grows. Its habitat are xerophyllous shrublands, where it can be found on north-facing vertical cliffs. It is also threatened by the erosion of the slopes in which grows.

Description:

Aztekium ritteri is an unmistakable globular cactus, slow-growing and staying very dwarf (less than 5 centimeters in diameter and height), very appreciated by cacti collectors for its rarity, odd shape and beautiful blooming.
Its stem is almost spherical, divided into 9-11 ribs, themselves furrowed by irregular folds, more or less horizontal. Between the troue ribs, there are secondary, less pronounced ones, making the stem intensely, intricately furrowed in its whole surface. Spines are very reduced: small, weak and often missing, they be vertically lined up on whitish areola. The top of the stem is usually covered in white, woolly, thin hair.
Flowers, though small (1 centimeter across) are flashy and elegant. They sprout at the top of the stems, are white-pinkish and have a tuft of bright yellow anthers, clearly emerging from the corolla.

Cultivation:

Aztekium ritteri is not the easiest species to grow. However, once a specimen is established on its own roots, it’s not difficult to manage. Here below are our tips:

Place it in a bright spot, though not exposed to direct light.
Keep the plant at tempereatures above 8-10ºC: we suggest to place it indoors in WInter, also to keep it away from water rainfalls.
Choose a specific substrate for cacti, well-draining and with an abundant mineral part.
Water regularly in Summer, always waiting for the soil to dry up completely before each irrigation. In Autumn, gradually decrease the watering frequency to completely suspend any irrigation in Winter.
Fertilize once a year during the growth season, by choosing a specific product for succulents, rich in Phosphorus and Potassium and poor in Nitrogen.
Aztekium ritteri is an extremely slow-growing species, thus it isn’t necessary to repot it too often. Choose deep pots to host properly the roots.

Propagation:

It is usually reproduced by seeds. Seeds are extremely small and germinate soon, but less than 5% of them are able to sprout. Also, the seedlings are very sensitive for the first two months. Rather, it’s more frequent to find them grafted to increase growth speed. You can also try to root the offsets from grafted plants, but the success rate is very low.

Curiosity:

Aztekium is a small, newly discovered genus including only three species. It was discovered in 1929 by a botanist called Ritter. The first discovered species was precisely Aztekium ritteri! For a while, it has been deemed to be the only species of the genus. The second species, Aztekium hintonii, was in fact discovered much later (only in 1991!), to reach the last species, Aztekium valdesii, in 2011.

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

Tips:
Read our advice