Astrophytum myriostigma 'Onzuka Fukuryu'
Astrophytum myriostigma 'Onzuka Fukuryu is a compound cultivar of the bishop's cap cactus, Astrophytum myriostigma, that unites two prized traits in the myriostigma hobby: the dense, chalk-bright white flecking of the Japanese Onzuka line and the wrinkled, folded ridging known as fukuryu. The result is a heavily woolly, tightly textured plant regarded by collectors as one of the top-tier compound selections of the species.
The Onzuka line was developed by Japanese growers who selected Astrophytum myriostigma over many generations for extraordinarily heavy, evenly distributed white trichome flecking, giving the body an almost snow-covered appearance. Fukuryu is a hobby designation for Astrophytum whose rib surfaces develop irregular puckered ridges and grooves rather than smooth, flat faces. 'Onzuka Fukuryu' brings both together, so a well-grown plant shows both the crisp white coat of the Onzuka strain and the sculptural, brain-like wrinkling of the fukuryu habit.
Description
Like the parent species, 'Onzuka Fukuryu' forms a solitary, spineless, ribbed body that is roughly globular when young and slowly becomes more columnar with age. The defining features are its two combined traits: an exceptionally dense covering of white woolly flecks that can nearly obscure the green epidermis, and the wrinkled fukuryu ridging that breaks the normally clean ribs into folded, puckered surfaces. Rib count and body form follow the usual myriostigma range, and the yellow, sometimes red-throated flowers appear from the woolly crown on mature plants. Because both flecking density and wrinkling vary from seedling to seedling, individual plants differ considerably in how strongly each trait is expressed.
Cultivation
Care is the same as for the parent species; see Astrophytum myriostigma for full detail. Give it bright light, a fast-draining mineral-heavy mix (see Soil and potting mix), and cautious Watering — allow the mix to dry fully between soakings and keep the plant dry and cool through winter dormancy. Heavily flecked Onzuka-type plants generally reward good light, which encourages a tight body and dense wool; too little light will stretch the plant and thin the white coating. As with all woolly-crowned Astrophytum, avoid overhead watering that leaves grit and water lodged in the wool, since trapped moisture in the puckered fukuryu surfaces can encourage rot.
See also
- Astrophytum myriostigma — the parent species
- Astrophytum — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed