Senile Cactus (Astrophytum senile) 6 seeds

Astrophytum senile

Astrophytum are Central American cacti that grow mostly in Mexico and the adjacent border areas. They are very decorative and have no spines. They are usually five-sided, which is why they are called star cacti. The Astrophytum genus is resistant to dry air. The flowers are predominantly in yellow shades.

Senile is a very beautiful hybrid. A variant of the popular cactus, this time with a lighter flower that grows directly from the center of the plant. The flower of this cactus is slightly yellowish, more white. The center of the flower is distinctly orange.

How to Grow Astrophytum

• The plants need direct sunlight. South-facing windowsills are suitable. It is advisable to use settled or preferably soft water, which applies to all plants. Watering is appropriate only after the substrate has completely dried out. If water remains in the saucer, pour it out. In winter, we can mist the plants. We repot early in spring or in summer, during growth stagnation. Cacti overwinter at eight to twelve degrees Celsius completely without watering. Heated apartments do not suit them in winter. It is therefore advisable to move them to a cold corridor or hallway. Light or darkness is not decisive for them. In summer, we water minimally - root rot could occur.

• Sowing is carried out in March - April into special substrate. It contains 2 parts fine sand and 1 part soil. Seeds are sown on the surface of the substrate. Plastic containers with holes are suitable. We water. Cover the containers with glass or a plastic lid. Place the seedlings in a warm, bright place. Direct sun can destroy our seeds or seedlings. Cold-loving species germinate at temperatures around twenty-five, heat-loving species at temperatures above thirty degrees Celsius. We regularly ventilate smaller plants. When the seedlings are 0.5 cm, we can transplant them. We place them in the sun only after a year or two of cultivation.

• A mixture with at least one third coarse sand, clay aggregate, perlite or similar material increasing permeability is suitable. Garden soil is suitable as the substrate in this mixture.

• If we repot the plants regularly every year, we do not apply fertilizer. Fertilizer watering is sufficient at most three times a year during the growing season. We use special fertilizer for succulents, mixed according to the instructions on the package.

• Cacti are most commonly troubled by mealybugs, root mealybugs and spider mites. Mealybugs create small woolly tufts on the surface of cacti, or root mealybugs, which parasitize on the roots of plants. Spider mites suck out the surface cells of the cactus, which subsequently acquires gray-green to orange colors, stops growing and may also die. We treat the plants with suitable insecticides.

  A significant problem is rot. This is caused by permanently wet soil or molds. We cut off the rotted part, let it dry, and after some time try to root the plant again. If the plant is heavily affected, the probability of saving it is low.

  Fusarium rot causes wilting of cacti. Plants lose their shine, pale and individual segments wilt, gradually entire plants wilt from the disease.

  Of fungal diseases, plants are most commonly affected by powdery mildew, rust, and molds. It is advisable to use special fungicides.