Weingartia fidaiana
| Light | Bright light; will take full sun with a little shade in the hottest part of the day |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderately in the growing season, allowing the mix to dry fully between waterings; keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Very free-draining mineral mix that accommodates the tuberous root (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; a cool, dry winter rest suits it |
| Propagation | Seed (primary); occasionally offsets where clustering occurs |
| Toxicity | Not known to be toxic to cats or dogs |
Weingartia fidaiana is a globular Bolivian cactus notable for its stout tuberous root, its firm grey-green body and its funnel-shaped yellow flowers borne near the crown. It is a high-altitude species from the inter-Andean valleys of southern Bolivia, and like others in the genus it is prized by collectors for its neat form and generous spring flowering. It belongs to the genus Weingartia, a group whose limits have long been debated and which is often merged into Rebutia by some authorities.
Description
Weingartia fidaiana forms a solitary or slowly clustering, more or less globular to shortly cylindrical body, typically some 6–20 cm across in habitat (smaller on most cultivated plants), sitting atop a swollen tuberous root that is joined to the body by a narrower neck and can be as substantial as the visible plant. The body is firm and grey-green, sometimes with a yellowish or purplish cast, divided into low ribs that are broken up into spiralling, chin-like tubercles. Each areole carries several stout, straight to slightly curved spines that range from pale to darker brown, giving the plant a sturdy, well-armed look.
The flowers open near the top of the plant in spring, narrowly funnel-shaped and typically yellow (occasionally paler, ochre or reddish), about 4–5 cm across. As in the rest of the genus, several blooms often open together in a ring around the crown, and flowering can be quite free on established plants.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to southern Bolivia (Potosí, Tarija and Chuquisaca), just reaching northern Argentina, where it grows at high elevation — roughly 2,600–4,000 m — in dry, rocky inter-Andean and puna country. Plants root in rocky, gritty ground on slopes and among rock, in a climate of strong sun, sharp drainage and a pronounced dry season. The tuberous root is an adaptation to these conditions, storing water through long dry spells.
Like all cacti the species is listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade; nursery-propagated plants are widely available and are the responsible source for collectors.
Cultivation
Weingartia fidaiana is a rewarding and relatively undemanding plant for a collector who respects its need for sharp drainage. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix, ideally in a pot deep enough to accommodate the tuberous root without cramping it. Give it bright light — it will take full sun with just a little shade during the fiercest part of a hot summer day — as too little light produces soft, etiolated growth and poor flowering.
Water moderately through the growing season, always letting the mix dry out completely before watering again, and keep the plant dry and cool over winter. A proper cool, dry winter rest is the key to good spring flowering, and it also greatly reduces the risk of rot. The tuberous root is the most vulnerable part of the plant: sitting in cold, wet compost will cause it to rot, so err on the side of dryness. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Seed is the usual and most reliable method. The seeds germinate readily on a warm, gritty surface kept humid, and seed-raised plants build up their characteristic tuberous root from an early age. Where a plant produces offsets these can be removed and rooted, though clustering is not always pronounced in this species. See Propagation — seed and Propagation — offsets for full walkthroughs.
Common problems
- Root and basal rot — the commonest cause of loss, almost always from overwatering or a mix that holds too much moisture, especially in a cold winter; the tuberous root is particularly susceptible.
- Etiolation — too little light makes the body pale, soft and elongated, and dulls the normal grey-green colour.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the areoles and around the roots) and red spider mites (fine webbing and a bronzed skin) are the usual offenders. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Weingartia — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Propagation — seed · Propagation — offsets · Pests and diseases