Astrophytum myriostigma 'Kabuto-Ran'
| Light | As for Astrophytum myriostigma — bright light; the dense white scale can take a little more sun than plain green forms |
|---|---|
| Water | As for the parent species; water when the mix has dried, keep dry and cool in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Seed (selecting the most heavily flecked seedlings); offsets or grafting where a plant clusters or a fast start is wanted |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Astrophytum myriostigma 'Kabuto-Ran is a horticultural selection of the bishop's cap cactus, Astrophytum myriostigma, picked for exceptionally dense, cloud-like white flecking that veils almost the entire body. Selecting myriostigma for this heavily clouded look is a long-standing practice in cactus horticulture, and the most densely flecked strains carry established names such as Onzuka and Hakuun ("white cloud") — plants whose surface is so thickly covered in fine white scale (trichomes) that the underlying green skin is nearly hidden.
Description
Like the typical Astrophytum myriostigma, 'Kabuto-Ran' forms a spineless, sharply ribbed body — usually with the classic five ribs (sometimes four) that give it its "bishop's cap" or star-shaped outline. What sets these selections apart is the flocking: instead of the scattered speckling seen on ordinary plants, the tiny woolly white scales are so crowded that they merge into broad, chalky, cloud-like patches, often frosting the whole plant a soft grey-white. The overall impression is of a star wrapped in fine felt. Flowers are the usual glossy yellow, sometimes with a red-orange throat, emerging from the woolly areoles at the crown.
Because this is a selection for a surface trait rather than a distinct plant, the degree of white coverage varies from seedling to seedling, and growers rogue their crop hard to keep only the most densely clouded individuals.
Cultivation
Care is exactly as for the parent species, Astrophytum myriostigma. Grow in a gritty, fast-draining mineral mix, give it bright light, and water only once the mix has dried through, tapering off to a cool, dry rest over winter (see Watering). The heavy white scale is a little more sun-tolerant than the bare green skin of plain forms and generally colours up best under strong light; too little light both etiolates the body and can leave the flecking sparser and less striking. As with all myriostigma, avoid a wet, airless winter — cold damp is the main killer.
Propagation
'Kabuto-Ran'-type selections are usually raised from seed, sowing from heavily flecked parents and then selecting the most densely clouded seedlings to carry the look forward; expect variation in each batch. Plants that offset can be increased from those pups, and Grafting is sometimes used to push a choice seedling along quickly, though these are vigorous enough that many growers keep them on their own roots.
See also
- Astrophytum myriostigma — the parent species
- Astrophytum — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed · Grafting