2 New Additions from my local nursery

SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)

7 years ago

This little Haworthia is definitely in need of repotting. The roots are stretching the pot out of shape. Only $2

The Astrophytum is a 1st for me. I'll have to repot it as the soil looks as though it is mostly peat. They had several to choose from most with either 4 or 5 "lobes" or "sections", for lack of proper terminology. I think this is the only one I saw with 3. While I liked the symmetry of those with 5, I thought that the way this one twists was interesting.

Since they all were pretty much the same size and from the same grower, I'd imagine they are roughly the same age. I was wondering what determines how many lobes or sections they have. It doesn't seem that it is determined by the age of the plant, right? As in the older and more mature the plant the greater the number of sections with a max of 5?

Also, I have cactus & succulent mix, perlite and pumice. Any suggestions on a proper mix would be appreciated.

Lastly, the Astrophytum was on the cactus table and growing in full sun. I have no idea how long the nursery has had them and if this is proper or not. A few months back I rescued a little sunburnt Haworthia from the same nursery that was also in full sun so I don't want to assume anything.

Thank you, Tyler

Featured Answer

stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a

7 years ago

Oh, and I believe 'Onzuka' is a cultivar with prominent white markings that was developed in Japan, so... Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Onzuka tricostatum. Gets to be quite a mouthful :-)

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Comments (7)

mesembs
7 years ago
I like how the Astrophytum tag say 'Created in Japan' lol...

I don't have an Astrophytum, so I can't really help you with care, but I think the number of lobes depends on the species/variety.
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SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B) thanked mesembs
SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
Original Author
7 years ago
Yes, mesembs, I have no idea what "Created in Japan" was referring to. Species originated in Japan? Hybrid developed in Japan? Maybe just some marketing gimmick to make people think they were in the presence of something rare and exotic from a far away place. I'm going to see if the grower R Z Nursery has a website. Maybe that will offer up some clues.

These 2 came from Mission Hills Nursery so they are just the middle man. For the most part Mission Hills takes really good care of their plants. They now have put up some cloth over the succulents so they aren't getting beaten up by harsh direct sunshine on our non-overcast days. I was hoping to find one of those H. truncatas but they didn't have any. Maybe next Spring. I've liked the looks of the Astrophytum for awhile so since these were only $7, I like supporting our local small independent nurseries AND I couldn't just leave there spending $2 (right?), I decided to get the 2nd plant as well.

All of them whether 3, 4, or 5 lobes had the identical tags saying Astrophytum myr. 'Onzuka'. Can anyone tell me, please, what "myr." refers to? Some botanical terminology, I'm guessing.

Thanks,

Tyler
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stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
7 years ago
I belive that myr. refers to myriostigma, which is the species of the cactus you bought. So... Astrophytum myriostigma. The number of lobes in these can vary. They usually have 5, but some have 4 (quadricostatum) some 3 (tricostatum). So the name of yours would be Astrophytum myriostigma f. tricostatum
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SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B) thanked stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
Original Author
7 years ago
Very cool, stupidlazydog (...that feels VERY weird...). Thanks for the info!

A cactus, then so full sun would be in order?

Tyler
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stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
7 years ago
I grow mine in a south facing window, or south facing greenhouse. Full sun here in Connecticut for sure. I'm not sure about completely full sun for you in California, especially for such a young cactus. Maybe someone else can answer that.
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SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B) thanked stupidlazydog CT zone 5b/6a
SoCal Stewart (San Diego, Ca Zone 10A/10B)
Original Author
7 years ago
I have it under the patio umbrella with the other succulents for now, still in the same pot and soil. Haven't watered it, either. I need to change the soil and all that. I'll get to it before the weekend is out after I do some more research on the growing medium and wait for feedback on sun exposure.

Tyler
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