Astrophytum asterias ‘Shinshowa Red’
Synonyms
Astrophytum asterias ‘Showa Red’, Astrophytum asterias ‘Shinshowa Akabana’, Astrophytum asterias ‘Syowa Kabuto’
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Cacteae
Genus: Astrophytum
Description
Astrophytum asterias ‘Shinshowa Red’ is a popular cactus cultivar with grey-green to dull green stems, up to 2.8 inches (7 cm) tall, up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter and dotted with numerous tufts of bright white wool. The stem is divided into 8 broad ribs. The flowers come in shade of dark pinkish-red, orange-red or purple wine-red, up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Astrophytums are not vigorous plants and they require a lot of patience to reach their full potential. Keep regularly watering and feeding them during the growing season and repot annually to give them space to develop. They need a temperate, dry winter as well, and make sure not to overwater them to avoid rotting their roots.
If given sufficient care, they will develop marvelous flowers once they reach maturity. Watch out for common cactus pests like aphids and scale, as well. These can often be taken care of by a good eco-friendly pesticide, or simply wiped away with cloth.
Repot regularly to help them develop. Astrophytums should be repotted at the beginning of the growing season for best results, allowing them to grow into the impressive specimens for which the genus is known. Protect your hands before repotting due to their stiff spikes and lift the plant out all at once, then replace in a larger pot and backfill with soil… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Astrophytum
Origin
Astrophytum asterias ‘Shinshowa Red’ is a popular cultivar of Astrophytum asterias.
Links
Back to genus Astrophytum
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