Synonyms:

Echinocactus mihanovichii
Gymnocalycium mihanovichii var. filadelfiense

Habitat:

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii is native to Argentina Northeast and Paraguay where the plant grows under bushes in shady areas and in sandy or rocky soils. The crested and variegated form is a natural mutation that can occur naturally and is maintained by vegetative propagation in nursery.

Description:

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii forma crestata variegata is a very rare plant belonging to the Cactaceae botanical family. The double mutation makes every plant a unique piece of art attracting collectors and cacti lovers. The plant has a compact size and can reach up to 4 cm in height and 6 cm in diameter. The stem has an unusual shape really sought after: the stem takes the shape of a double circular fan, made of many ribs unregular ribs vary coloured. The variegation makes the plant variously colored ranging from black green to red and deep purple. This particular coloration is due to the loss of green chlorophyll production and consequently the concentration of orange carotenoid and violet anthocyanins which give red hues. The stem is made of an explosion of small thin ribs bearing tiny woolly white areoles. The weird composition of the stem makes each plant an unrepeatable masterpiece. The areoles are small, woolly, whitish to greyish and bear few, short, tiny spines. The central spines are generally absent. Blooming occurs from the late spring to the late summer and the blossoms least for a few days. The flowers are borne on short green stalks at the apex of the stem. The flowers are showy, crown-shaped, silky and are pale pink to white; the stamens are yellow and the calyx is greenish.

Cultivation:

This is a slow growing plant, easy to cultivate. The plant needs a bright light exposure but avoid intense sunlight in midsummer, as this can scorch the cactus. The plant does not like temperatures below 0°C so it needs to be placed indoors in the coldest periods. The soil should be mixed with pumice, clay and loam to allow for drainage and prevent root rot, as the plant is prone to it. Remember to use a perforated pot to drain excess water. Watering can be done regularly in spring and summer: during the vegetative period you can water the plant every 7 days, checking that the soil is completely dry before watering again. In winter you should stop the watering to allow the plant to enter dormancy. If you want a faster and lusher growth, you can fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season with a half-strength, low-nitrogen feed; stop fertilizing throughout the winter. If the pot becomes too small for the plant, or the compost become too alkaline due the tap water, you can repot it in a pot that is 2 cm wider. Repotting should be done early in the growing season with slightly acidic potting compost. Be careful to red spiders and scale insect. For mealybugs you can remove them with a paintbrush dipped into spirit or if large number are present you may use an insecticide.

Propagation:

Propagation can be done only by cutting, to not lose the mutation of the forma mostruosa. When propagating through cuttings, make the cut during the spring and then let the cutting dry. After a few days, the cut surface will dry, and a callus will form. Place the cutting in a mixture of sand, soil, and pumice. To increase the success of propagation, you can make two or more cuttings at the same time. For cuttings, it is recommended to maintain temperatures around 20°C.

Curiosity:

Its name comes from the Greek “ghymnòs” (naked) and “càlyx” (calyx) and refers to the calyx of the flower, which is “naked” because it has no scales or hairs to protect it.

Official Web Site:
www.giromagi.com

Italian Blog:
www.giromagicactus.com

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