Parodia leninghausii
| Light | Bright light to some direct sun; tolerates a little shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Regularly in the growing season, letting the mix dry between waterings; keep dry and cool in winter |
| Soil | Free-draining but not purely mineral; a gritty mix with a little organic matter (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Seed; offsets in older clustering plants |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Parodia leninghausii, the golden ball cactus, is a clustering South American cactus that forms slender, soft-looking columns clothed in dense golden-yellow bristles. As the stems mature they lean and produce large, satiny lemon-yellow flowers from the woolly, tilted crown, making it one of the friendliest and most rewarding cacti for a beginner. It is sometimes still sold under its older names Notocactus leninghausii and Eriocactus leninghausii.
Description
Parodia leninghausii begins life as a solitary globe and gradually lengthens into a soft-textured column, typically reaching 30–60 cm tall and around 10 cm across, offsetting from the base to build up an attractive cluster over many years. The stem carries numerous low, closely set ribs lined with areoles from which arise fine, flexible golden-yellow bristly spines — the longer, hair-like spines around the crown give the plant its characteristically soft, glowing look. Unlike many cacti the spines here are yielding rather than fierce, which is part of the species' charm.
The growing tip leans conspicuously toward the light, and it is from this tilted, woolly apex that the flowers appear. Blooms are large and glossy lemon-yellow, opening in a ring at the crown on plants that have gained some size and age; flowering usually comes only once a stem is well established, so patience is rewarded.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to southern Brazil, where it grows in the grassy, rocky hills of Rio Grande do Sul. Plants root in crevices and among rocks on sloping ground, often in the light shade of surrounding grasses and shrubs. Rio Grande do Sul has a humid subtropical climate with rain through much of the year rather than a long desert drought, which is part of why the golden ball cactus tolerates — and appreciates — more regular watering in growth than many desert cacti.
Cultivation
Parodia leninghausii is an easy, forgiving cactus and an excellent choice for newer growers. Give it a bright spot with some direct sun to keep the golden spines dense and the growth compact; it will take a little shade but may etiolate if kept too dark. Because it comes from a comparatively humid, well-watered habitat, it enjoys more water than most cacti during the growing season — water thoroughly whenever the mix has dried, using a free-draining but not entirely mineral medium with a little organic matter to hold some moisture. See Watering for general technique.
In winter keep the plant cool and dry to encourage flowering and to prevent rot during the rest period. As with any potted cactus, repot every few years into fresh mix once the plant fills its container.
Propagation
The species is readily raised from seed, which germinates well on a warm, moist surface and produces even, attractive seedlings. Older clustering plants also form offsets at the base that can be removed and rooted; allow the cut surface to callus for a few days before potting the offset into a gritty mix. See also Propagation — cuttings for general handling of detached stems.
Common problems
- Rot — the main risk, usually from a waterlogged mix or from watering while the plant is cold and dormant; the base or crown softens and discolours.
- Etiolation — too little light produces thin, pale, stretched growth and sparse spination, spoiling the plant's plump, golden form.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff among the areoles and roots) and red spider mites (fine webbing, bronzed skin) are the usual offenders; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Parodia — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting
- Propagation — seed · Propagation — offsets