Lobivia tiegeliana
| Light | Bright light with some protection from the harshest afternoon sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Regularly in the growing season, letting the soil dry between waterings; keep dry and cool in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining, gritty mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep frost-free; a dry winter rest tolerates cool temperatures well |
| Propagation | Seed; offsets when the plant produces them |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Lobivia tiegeliana is a small cactus from the highlands of southern Bolivia and adjacent northern Argentina, prized among hobbyists for the generous, brightly coloured flowers it produces on even young plants. Its short, globular stem is usually solitary, though older plants may offset into a small cluster, and it opens showy blooms in shades of pink, purple, magenta and deep red, giving a lot of colour for very little space. Like most of its genus it is an easygoing, cold-tolerant grower that rewards a proper winter rest with an abundant spring display.
Description
Lobivia tiegeliana forms a small, rounded to shortly cylindrical stem, usually only a few centimetres across and typically remaining solitary, though with age it may produce offsets and build into a small cluster of heads. The ribs are divided into distinct tubercles, each carrying an areole with stiff, often comb-like radial spines that lie close against the body; central spines, when present, are few. Spine colour ranges from pale amber and honey through reddish to darker brown, often darker at the tip, and varies considerably between forms.
The flowers are the plant's great attraction. Borne laterally from areoles low on the stem, they are relatively large for the size of the plant, funnel-shaped, and appear in a range of warm colours — pinks, purples, magentas and deep reds, sometimes with a contrasting throat; yellow-flowered forms are also known. Individual blooms last only a few days, but a well-grown plant can produce a long succession through spring and early summer.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to southern Bolivia and adjacent northern Argentina, where it grows at altitude in the dry inter-Andean valleys and on rocky slopes, chiefly in the Bolivian department of Tarija and the Argentine province of Salta, generally between about 1,800 and 3,000 metres. Plants root in gritty, well-drained ground among rocks and low shrubby vegetation, exposed to strong sunlight, big swings between day and night temperatures, and a pronounced dry season. This montane origin is the key to its cultivation: it is used to bright light, sharp drainage and a cold, dry winter.
The taxonomy of Lobivia has been much revised, and this plant is frequently listed under the synonyms Echinopsis tiegeliana and Hymenorebutia tiegeliana. Many growers continue to use the familiar name Lobivia for horticultural purposes. See the Lobivia genus page for more on the naming.
Cultivation
Lobivia tiegeliana is an excellent beginner's cactus: tough, forgiving and quick to flower. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix in a pot only a little larger than the plant. Give it as much bright light as you can, with only light protection from the fiercest afternoon sun in a hot glasshouse — plenty of light keeps the growth compact and encourages heavy flowering.
Water regularly through the growing season, allowing the mix to dry out between waterings, then withhold water almost entirely through winter. A cool, dry winter rest is essential for good flowering and helps the plant tolerate low temperatures; kept dry, it withstands considerable cold, though it is safest to keep it frost-free. Overwatering, especially in cold weather, is the main thing to avoid. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
The species grows readily from seed, which germinates well on a warm, mineral surface kept humid; seed is the usual route and gives variation in flower colour and larger numbers of plants. See Propagation — seed for a full walkthrough. When a plant does produce offsets, the surplus heads can be removed, allowed to callus for a few days, and rooted in a gritty mix to make new plants — see Propagation — offsets and Propagation — cuttings.
Common problems
- Rot — nearly always caused by overwatering or a slow-draining mix, particularly during the winter rest; heads soften and discolour from the base.
- Etiolation — too little light makes the stems pale and elongate, losing their tight, compact shape and flowering poorly.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the areoles and among the roots) and red spider mites (fine webbing, bronzed skin) are the usual culprits. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Lobivia — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — offsets · Propagation — seed · Repotting