Cactus (Ball) Xuanmeiyu
Cactus (Ball) Xuanmeiyu Plant Properties
Chinese Name: Xuanmeiyu Alias: Latin Name: Notocactus uebelmannianus Family: Cactus Family Genus: Grusonia Genus Origin: BrazilCactus (Ball) Xuanmeiyu Plant Introduction
The Xuanmeiyu cactus belongs to the Echinopsis genus, discovered in 1970. As the entire Echinopsis genus was merged into the Grusonia genus, its scientific name was changed to "Xuanmeiyu" in 1998.
The Xuanmeiyu plant is solitary, with a flat spherical to round shape, and a diameter of 8-12 centimeters. The epidermis is deep green with a glossy finish, with 12-16 rounded ridges, each ridge divided transversely into tuberculate blocks, with 6-8 radial spines that are white to grayish-white, or reddish-brown. In spring and summer, it produces red to purple or purple bell-shaped flowers at the top, which open in the morning and close in the afternoon, with a single flower lasting over 4 days. The flowers are large, with a diameter of 5 centimeters, featuring a silky sheen, and the flower tube has light brown fluff and a small amount of brown bristles. It prefers a sunny growth environment and a fertile, well-draining cultivation medium.
It requires a certain level of humidity during the growing season. April to May is its peak growing period, during which it should be fertilized with 2 or more light liquid fertilizers and as much light as possible should be provided. During the hot summer, it should be shaded appropriately, and in winter, the potted plant should be placed in a sunny area indoors, maintaining a certain level of moisture in the soil. The pot should not be too large, and the plant should be repotted and its roots pruned annually to prevent the lower part of the ball from aging.
The Xuanmeiyu seedlings can bloom when the ball is very small (3.5-4.5 centimeters) with a flower diameter of 4-5 centimeters, creating a bloom larger than the ball, giving a unique visual effect of "only flowers, no ball" or "small ball, large flower."
Cactus (Ball) Xuanmeiyu Image Appreciation
1. Xuanmeiyu Image One
2. Xuanmeiyu Image Two
3. Xuanmeiyu Image Three