Synonyms:

Rebutia marsoneri ‘krainziana’
Rebutia marsoneri
Rebutia wessneriana  var. krainziana
Rebutia calliantha var. krainziana

Habitat:

Is a globular cactus native to Argentina that grows in hight altitudes. (The origin is not certain, but is probably the origin of his ancestor).

Description:

Rebutia krainziana is a small and globular small cactus.
The dark green stem is solitary at first, after three or four years rounded offsets emerge in a ring around the base of the primary stem to form a compact cluster. R. krainziana cluster can reach size up to 15 cm.
White and small areoles stand out on the stem. The areoles are covered of white spines: tiny, short and soft.
In spring blooms the large red flower, funnel shaped, with grows from the base of the stems. Sometimes the flower can be orange or yellow or white (very rarely).

Cultivation:

Rebutia krainziana is easy to cultivate, is very drought tolerant, needs a full sun to light shade. If indoor a south facing location is recommended.
Water sparingly in summer and remember always allow the soil to dry out before watering again because is very susceptible to rot. Stop to watering in winter.
Hardy to -4 ° C but just for a short time and with dry soil (to avoid freezing)
In cold season we recommended to put the plant in very airy spot and sheltered.
A soil with good drainage will help ward off rot.
To increase the number and size of the stem and consequently the flowers, we suggest to repotting annually.

Propagation:

Propagation is possible from seed or cutting.
R. krainziana is easily to propagate from offsets which are at the base of the mother plant.
When the offset is big enough you can remove it and leave the cut to dry for some days. When the callous is formed put it in a new pot in a warm place.

Curiosity:

The name of the Rebutia species takes its name from the french botanist P. Rebut, a great scholar and collector of cacti.