Ortegocactus macdougallii is a clumping, slow-growing, cactus that form tiny bushes only few centimeters in size.This species has a strange and unmistakable lime-green-grey colored epidermis, each stem extends with the years, reaching a diameter of 3 to 4 cm.
Tubercles are low, often squashed, rhomboid and arranged in spiral, of 8 to 10 mm of diameter. Central spine is turgid black, or whitish with a black tip 4 to 5 mm in length. And 7 to 8 radial spines of the same colour of 5-10mm of length. Flowers are yellow, funnel-shaped, up to 3 cm long and in diameter. Fruit is reddish, globular, slightly extended and up to 0.5 cm in diameter.
How to Grow and Care
Not the easiest of plants to grow well and tricky to grow when on its own roots, this interesting and distinctive looking plant needs a little care with regard to heat and water. It show a distinct intolerance to over watering either by rotting off, or by bursting of the epidermis. Composts should therefore be very open and gritty, use shallow pots, with good drainage.. To prevent growing a monster totally out of proportion to their attractive and natural form, one should limit the fertiliser.
A harmless but unsightly orange discoloration (corkiness) is common at the base of the stems, though this is not due to disease, and apparently is unavoidable, cautious examination should periodically be undertaken to ensure that rot has not set in Re-rooting is not easy.
Origin: Ortegocactus macdougallii native to Mexico (Oaxaca).
Ortegocactus macdougallii likes light shade to full sun. It is often grafted since it is tricky to grow when on its own roots. Water moderately in summer and very carefully if at all in winter. It show a distinct intolerance to over watering either by rotting off, or by bursting of the epidermis. Grow Ortegocactus in a fast draining mineral mix. To prevent growing a monster totally out of proportion to their attractive and natural form, you should limit the fertilizer.
Propagation: Very slow from seed. Many authors recommend grafting, first on Pereskiopsis and soon on Myrtillocactus geometrizans. If it does not reject the stock, it is possible to be cultivated without problems. If we prefer to cultivate it on its own roots, we can maintain intact its characteristics without deformities, grafted plants clump readily and the offsets can be used for make cuttings.
Tubercles are low, often squashed, rhomboid and arranged in spiral, of 8 to 10 mm of diameter. Central spine is turgid black, or whitish with a black tip 4 to 5 mm in length. And 7 to 8 radial spines of the same colour of 5-10mm of length. Flowers are yellow, funnel-shaped, up to 3 cm long and in diameter. Fruit is reddish, globular, slightly extended and up to 0.5 cm in diameter.
- Scientific Name: Ortegocactus macdougallii Alexander
- Synonyms: Neobesseya macdougallii, Escobaria macdougallii
- Family: Cactaceae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Tribe: Cacteae
- Genus: Ortegocactus
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| source pic: pinterest.com |
How to Grow and Care
Not the easiest of plants to grow well and tricky to grow when on its own roots, this interesting and distinctive looking plant needs a little care with regard to heat and water. It show a distinct intolerance to over watering either by rotting off, or by bursting of the epidermis. Composts should therefore be very open and gritty, use shallow pots, with good drainage.. To prevent growing a monster totally out of proportion to their attractive and natural form, one should limit the fertiliser.
A harmless but unsightly orange discoloration (corkiness) is common at the base of the stems, though this is not due to disease, and apparently is unavoidable, cautious examination should periodically be undertaken to ensure that rot has not set in Re-rooting is not easy.
Origin: Ortegocactus macdougallii native to Mexico (Oaxaca).
Ortegocactus macdougallii likes light shade to full sun. It is often grafted since it is tricky to grow when on its own roots. Water moderately in summer and very carefully if at all in winter. It show a distinct intolerance to over watering either by rotting off, or by bursting of the epidermis. Grow Ortegocactus in a fast draining mineral mix. To prevent growing a monster totally out of proportion to their attractive and natural form, you should limit the fertilizer.
Propagation: Very slow from seed. Many authors recommend grafting, first on Pereskiopsis and soon on Myrtillocactus geometrizans. If it does not reject the stock, it is possible to be cultivated without problems. If we prefer to cultivate it on its own roots, we can maintain intact its characteristics without deformities, grafted plants clump readily and the offsets can be used for make cuttings.
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| source pic: pinterest.com |
