Coryphantha andreae
| Light | Bright light with some direct sun; a little shade from the fiercest afternoon heat |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly in the growing season; allow to dry fully between waterings, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining, mostly mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep frost-free; roughly USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Seed (primary); occasionally offsets where the plant clusters |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Coryphantha andreae is a globular, deep-green cactus from eastern Mexico, prized for its fat, chunky tubercles, stout spines and comparatively large, showy flowers. Among the Coryphantha it stands out for its bold, almost sculptural body and its generous yellow-orange blooms, which make it a firm favourite with enthusiasts of the genus.
Description
Coryphantha andreae forms a solid, rounded to slightly flattened body, usually solitary but sometimes clustering with age. The surface is broken into prominent, fleshy tubercles arranged in spirals — noticeably fat and rounded compared with many of its relatives — each tipped with a well-developed areole bearing stiff, stout spines. The spines vary from pale to darker tones and include a stronger central spine or two surrounded by shorter radials.
The flowers are the plant's great attraction: broad and funnel-shaped, in warm yellow to yellow-orange tones, opening at the growing point among the young tubercles. They appear in the warmer months and, as in other Coryphantha, tend to open over successive days in bright weather. Like the rest of the genus, the plant carries a nectar-secreting groove on the upper surface of its tubercles, a distinguishing feature of Coryphantha.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to eastern Mexico, in the state of Veracruz, where it grows in seasonally dry scrub and grassland on gritty, well-drained ground. In habitat plants often sit among low vegetation and rocks that give a little shade and shelter, rooting into lean, mineral soils that drain quickly after seasonal rains.
As with all cacti, C. andreae is listed under CITES Appendix II, so international trade is regulated. Nursery-propagated plants are the responsible source; collecting from the wild is neither necessary nor acceptable.
Cultivation
Coryphantha andreae is a rewarding grower that repays a lean, gritty regime. Plant it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix and give it bright light with some direct sun to keep the body compact and the spines strong. Water thoroughly during the active season once the soil has dried out completely, then allow it to dry again before the next watering; err on the side of dryness, as the fat tubercles store plenty of moisture.
Through winter, keep the plant cool and completely dry — a dry rest not only prevents rot but also encourages a better show of flowers the following season. See Watering and Repotting for general technique, and take care to keep water off the woolly crown in cool or dull conditions.
Propagation
Seed is the usual and most reliable method. Sown on a warm, mineral surface and kept humid until germination, seedlings grow steadily if given good light. Where a plant offsets, the pups can be removed and rooted as with other clustering cacti, though many specimens remain solitary. See Propagation — seed and Propagation — offsets for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Rot — the most common cause of loss, almost always from overwatering or a mix that holds moisture; the plant softens and discolours from the base or crown.
- Etiolation — too little light makes the body pale, elongate and lose its tight, chunky form.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff nestled between the tubercles and in the crown) and red spider mites (fine webbing, bronzed skin) are the usual offenders. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Coryphantha — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Propagation — seed · Propagation — offsets · Pests and diseases