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A. asterias cv. kikko forma nuda
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Cultivation: Variegated and albinos cacti are regarded as
choice and difficult in cultivation, but
despite that many of them
are relatively easy to grow. But be aware that they
cannot tolerate prolonged exposure to direct sun light (especially
during the hottest summer days), so grow them in half-shade or
under filtered sun. They are sometime seen as grafted plants, but
many grow well on their own roots, too.
On the contrary,
the albinos can survive only if grafted on a strong green base.
Use mineral well-permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat,
humus). Water sparingly from March till
October and keep perfectly dry in winter at
temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (In
general these plants are more tender and cannot endure freezing
temperatures ) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!
Propagation: Almost usually by seed. Plants are often grafted
onto column-shaped cacti.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific name:
Astrophytum asterias
(Zucc.) Lem
cv. KIKKO "nudum"
Conservation status:
Artificial cultivar not listed..
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
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Description: This
rare Japaese cultivar has raised tubercles along the ribs edges, in fact
its areoles stick out with large notches between them, giving them a
bumpy look. The furrows which appear transversely on the ribs cuts the
continuity of the ribs and the plants appears decorated with a
geometrical design which is raised above the surface. When viewed from
above these plants resemble a tortoise-shell hence the Japanese word
'Kitsu-kow' that means "Turtle shell" but at a
first glace (especially the nude form) resembles some chinned cacti
particularly some
Gymocalyciums. Usually the young seedlings appears nothing
special and looks like normal asterias, and barely shows any trace of
saw teeth, but they start to produce the distinguishing indentation and
turn into an amazing adult as they get 3 to 7 years old. In general the
bigger the "saw teeth" are and the rounder and flatter they are, the
better. All species of Astrophytum (excluded
A. caput-medusae) have their particular "kikko"
variants.
Stem: Spherical
flattened usually non-branched
or few branched flat, dark green. Diameter 3(8)16 cm.
Height 2 to 6 cm.
Areoles: round, cream-colored till white
hairy up to 6 (3-12) mm) of diameters. The
areoles are normally set in a separation up to 10 mm
Spines: None.
Ribs: Usually 8.
Flowers: Like those of the well known asterias
yellow with a red throat.
Blooming season: Spring to summer.
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Photo of conspecific
taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Astrophytum asterias:
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