Home»Cactus - Succulents»Astrophytum
Astrophytum asterias [ ass - troh - FY - tum ] [ ass - TEER - ee - as ] is a cactus with a disk - shaped torso and multiple ribs with white scales .
Due to its distinct appearance , the industrial plant has several common name :
Astrophytum asterias is part of the Cactaceae phratry and theAstrophytumgenus .
The genus contain just five other cacti .
Star cactus is native to Texas and parts of Mexico .
It ’s no longer coarse in the state of nature and mostly discover in a individual site in Texas .
First cultivated in the 1840s , it ’s become a pop houseplant .
Astrophytum Asterias Care
Size and Growth
Flowering and Fragrance
A yellow flush with a red base come out from the center of the globe .
The flush appear between March and June while fruit occurs between April and June .
The industrial plant bring about oval fruits typically green to rap in gloss .
Light and Temperature
Star cactus is wintertime hardy in USDA hardiness zones 8 to 9 .
In its aboriginal Texas and part of Mexico , it grow well outdoors under full sun or partial shadiness .
Outside of its aboriginal regions , astrophytum asterias arise better near a gay window inside the home .
It ca n’t survive freezing temperatures .
The idealistic temperature in the summer is above 70 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( 21 ° C ) .
During the wintertime , it can tolerate slightly cool temperatures .
Watering and Feeding
Federal Reserve note : The dirt should dry out whole between each watering .
Soil and Transplanting
Grow star cactus in standard cactus pot soil or makehomemade cactus soil .
For a DIY cactus potting mix , immix :
The soil should provide first-class drainage , allow water system to drain away speedily but maintain some moisture .
This help oneself forbid overwatering .
Repot whiz cactus train as a houseplant each year to encourage extra growth .
Repot in the give before the growing season start .
bakshish : Wear gloves when handling hotshot cactus to protect against the fuddled spikes on the outside of the flora .
Grooming
While train is n’t necessary , murder the flowers after they wilt can help keep the cactus garden or container clean and presentable .
How To Propagate Star Cactus
Propagate using germ . As the works boast a exclusive globular soundbox , cuttings are not possible .
Obtain seed from a glasshouse or harvest them from ripe plant .
The seeds are contained in the fruit bodies appearing after the flower .
Remove the fruit capsule when it ripens and provide it to dry out good .
Star Cactus Pest or Disease Problems
starring cactus is near pest and disease - free and is n’t invasive or considered toxic .
It ’s a simple plant to spring up with slight to occupy about .
The biggest terror is overwatering , which may lead to etymon rot .
If the industrial plant suffers from root rot , it may seem soft and mushy .
It may also develop small sink spots or black Zen near the roots .
Mealybugs and scale insects may also appear .
scurf worm may be removed by deal .
practice a stream of alcoholic drink from a sprayer nursing bottle to slay mealybugs .
If these method do n’t work , use a commercialpesticide ( natural Neem oil)to deal the plague .
Suggested Astrophytum Asterias Uses
Grow star cactus in acactus gardenor succulent garden with a mixture of specie .
Place the star cactus closer to the front , preventing taller species from obscuring the view .
It ’s also a simple-minded houseplant to acquire in any window , sum up a pocket-size touch of color to any room .
