Parodia rutilans
| Light | Bright light with some protection from the harshest summer sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderate in growth; allow to dry between waterings, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining mineral-rich mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; a cool, dry winter rest suits it |
| Propagation | Seed (primary); offsets where produced |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Parodia rutilans is a small, neat, globular cactus from Uruguay, near the Brazilian border, prized for its glossy funnel-shaped flowers in shades of pink to salmon set off by a contrasting yellow throat — a striking colour combination among the mostly yellow-flowered Parodia. Compact, free-flowering and undemanding, it is a longtime favourite of collectors and was for many years known under the name Notocactus rutilans.
Description
Parodia rutilans forms a small, solitary, flattened-globular to shortly cylindrical body, typically only a few centimetres across, that may slowly elongate with age. The body is divided into numerous low, spiralling ribs neatly broken into small tubercles. Each areole carries fine, comb-like radial spines pressed close to the body, usually pale to brownish, with a few slightly longer, darker central spines, giving the plant a tidy, symmetrical look.
The flowers are the main attraction: relatively large for the size of the plant, funnel-shaped and satiny, in tones of rose-pink to salmon that pass into a clear yellow throat. They open by day from the crown through the summer, and the plant flowers readily even when young.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to Uruguay, in the Cerro Largo region of the east near the Brazilian border, extending into the adjacent grasslands of southernmost Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul). It grows among grasses and low vegetation on hillsides and rocky ground. In habitat it experiences warm, humid summers and cooler winters — a seasonal rhythm worth keeping in mind in cultivation.
Cultivation
Parodia rutilans is an easygoing plant that rewards a little routine. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix in a pot only a little larger than the plant, in bright light with some shielding from the fiercest midday sun, which can scorch the body. Water thoroughly through the warm months once the soil has dried, then reduce sharply as autumn arrives; keep it dry and cool over winter, which both prevents rot and encourages a strong flush of flowers the following season. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Like most Parodia, it appreciates a slightly richer, more nutrient-holding compost than many desert cacti, though drainage must still come first.
Propagation
Seed is the usual method and germinates readily on a warm, gritty surface kept humid until the seedlings establish; see Propagation — seed. Where the plant produces offsets these can be removed once well developed, allowed to callus, and rooted as for other clustering cacti — see Propagation — offsets. Grafting is sometimes used to grow on slow seedlings quickly, but is rarely necessary for this reliable species.
Common problems
- Rot — the commonest cause of loss, almost always from overwatering, poor drainage, or moisture sitting on the plant over winter; the body softens and discolours from the base.
- Scorch — too much unfiltered summer sun can bleach or mark the body, especially on plants moved suddenly into strong light.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the areoles and among the 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 · Propagation — seed · Propagation — offsets · Repotting