Weingartia kargliana
| Light | Bright light; a little shade from the harshest afternoon sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderate in the growing season; keep dry and cool in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Cold-tolerant when kept dry (withstands frost in habitat); in cultivation keep dry over winter and, to be safe, frost-free to avoid wet-cold rot |
| Propagation | Seed (primary); offsets where produced |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Weingartia kargliana is a small, globular Bolivian cactus grown for its dark, contrasting spines and cheerful orange-yellow flowers. A member of the genus Weingartia, it is valued mainly by specialist collectors who follow this often-overlooked group of South American cacti, where it is prized for the neat symmetry of its ribs and areoles.
Description
Weingartia kargliana forms a solitary or slowly clustering, depressed-globular body, typically a few centimetres across, with the flattened crown characteristic of the genus. The body is divided into low ribs broken up into spiralling tubercles, each tipped with an areole bearing a spreading cluster of stiff spines. The spines vary from yellowish and brown to reddish-black, often darkening with age, and the darker-spined forms give the plant much of its visual appeal against the green body.
Like other members of the group, it flowers from the upper areoles at or near the crown rather than from the sides. The blooms are short, funnel- to bell-shaped and orange-yellow, opening in a flush during the warmer months, and are followed by small, dry seed capsules. As with much of the genus, plants vary somewhat in spine colour and density between individuals.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to Bolivia, in the Sud Chichas region of Potosí, where it grows among rocks on the dry Bolivian altiplano and high inter-Andean valleys, at high elevation (roughly 3,000–3,500 m). In these habitats plants experience strong sunlight, sharp drainage, hard frosts and a pronounced dry season, conditions that shape their tough, compact growth and their tolerance of cold when dry.
Cultivation
Weingartia kargliana is a rewarding plant for the collector and not difficult given the usual precautions for high-altitude cacti. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix in a deep pot that accommodates its swollen taproot, and give it bright light to keep the body compact and the spines well coloured.
Water moderately through the growing season, letting the mix dry out between waterings, then keep the plant dry and cool over winter. This dry winter rest both prevents rot and encourages a good flush of flowers in spring; kept dry, the plant tolerates considerable cold. As with most cacti, overwatering — especially in cold or dull conditions — is the main risk. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Seed is the usual method, and the genus generally sets seed readily when more than one clone is grown together to allow cross-pollination. Sow on a gritty, mineral surface kept warm and humid until germination, then grow the seedlings on hard and bright. Where a plant offsets, the clusters can also be divided, though many individuals stay solitary. See Propagation — seed and Propagation — offsets for details.
Common problems
- Rot — usually from overwatering or a mix that holds too much moisture; the body softens from the base or crown.
- Etiolation — too little light causes the body to elongate and pale, and weakens spine colour.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the areoles and on the roots) and red spider mites are the most common troublemakers. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Weingartia — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed · Propagation — offsets · Repotting