Sulcorebutia crispata
| Light | Bright light; a little shade from the harshest summer sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Regularly in the growing season, then dry completely between waterings; keep dry and cool in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep frost-free in winter; tolerates a cool, dry rest around USDA zones 9–11 |
| Propagation | Offsets, seed; occasionally grafting |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Sulcorebutia crispata is a small, freely clustering cactus from the highlands of Bolivia, prized by collectors for its dense, curly, interlocking spines and its brightly coloured flowers. It is a highly variable species — spination and flower colour differ markedly from plant to plant, with blooms appearing in shades of violet and purple through magenta to cherry-red — which has made it a favourite among Sulcorebutia enthusiasts. Under classifications that merge Sulcorebutia into other genera it also appears as Rebutia canigueralii subsp. crispata or Weingartia crispata.
Description
Sulcorebutia crispata forms small, flattened-globular stems that offset readily to build up low, crowded clumps over time. Individual heads are modest in size, ribbed and tuberculate, with the areoles set along the tubercles in the manner typical of the genus. Its most distinctive feature is the spination: fine, often curling and comb-like (pectinate) spines that press close to the body and interlace with those of neighbouring areoles, sometimes almost hiding the green skin beneath.
The relatively large, funnel-shaped flowers open around the sides of the plant in spring, well set off against the tight spination. Flower colour is notably inconsistent across the species, ranging from violet and purple through magenta to cherry-red, and forms with different colouring are widely circulated in collections.
Distribution and habitat
Like most of the genus, S. crispata is native to the mountains of south-central Bolivia, where it grows at high elevation among rocks and in gritty, well-drained ground. Plants of these habitats experience strong sunlight, a warm growing season with summer rain, and a cold, dry winter — conditions worth keeping in mind when growing them.
Cultivation
Sulcorebutia crispata is a rewarding and generally easy plant for anyone who can give it a bright spot and a genuinely free-draining mix. Grow it in a gritty, mostly mineral potting mix and water regularly through the warm months, always letting the soil dry out fully before watering again (see Watering). Give it strong light to keep the spination tight and the growth compact; a little shade from the most intense summer sun helps prevent scorching.
The key to flowering — and to avoiding rot — is a cold, completely dry winter rest. Keep the plant frost-free but cool and bone-dry from late autumn until growth resumes in spring; plants that are kept warm and watered through winter tend to flower poorly and are more prone to rot. Because clumps build up steadily, occasional repotting into fresh gritty mix keeps them healthy.
Propagation
The easiest method is division: mature clumps produce plenty of offsets that can be detached, allowed to callus, and rooted in a gritty mix. The species also comes readily from seed, which is the usual way to raise the many colour and spine forms; seed-grown plants show the full range of variability the species is known for. Slow or difficult seedlings are sometimes grafted to speed them along, though it is rarely necessary for such a willing grower.
Common problems
- Rot — the main risk, almost always from a heavy, slow-draining mix or from watering during the winter rest.
- Poor flowering — usually a sign the plant was kept too warm or too wet over winter, or given too little light.
- Etiolation — insufficient light causes soft, elongated growth and looser, less attractive spination.
- Pests — mealybugs (including root mealybugs) and red spider mites are the usual offenders; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Sulcorebutia — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — offsets · Propagation — seed · Repotting