Gymnocalycium bruchii is a miniature cactus with flattened, blue-green, thick growing, clumping stems, up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter and up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) long. The spines are white, bristly, straight or curved...
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The flowers are bell to funnel-shaped, up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide, with an unusual shade of lavender-white in early spring, followed by green fruits.
Scientific Name
Gymnocalycium bruchii (Speg.) Hosseus
Synonyms
Gymnocalycium bruchii subsp. bruchii, Frailea bruchii, Gymnocalycium albispinum, Gymnocalycium lafaldense, Echinocactus lafaldensis, Gymnocalycium carolinense, Gymnocalycium lafaldense
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Gymnocalycium
How to Grow and Care
Some Gymnocalyciums are shade-seeking in the wild, among shrubs or grasses, while others grow completely exposed. Some will therefore need a light shading from the sun in the hottest months, but to overdo this will result in loss of flowers.
The balance of the potting medium should be sufficient to allow good drainage, so that the plants do not sit in soggy soil for more than a day or two after watering. Watering in the summer months, while the plants are growing well can be frequent (weekly for small plants in small pots), but always allowing the compost nearly to dry out before rewatering.
Watering in the winter months at all is unwise, and certainly not necessary. The difficult times are spring and autumn.
Those species which produce offsets can be readily propagated by cuttings. The seed germinates well when fresh, and will keep for a few years if stored in cold conditions.
