I’m new here and couldn’t upload both pictures at once Also, please excuse all grammatical and punctuation errors within my post, I’m posting from my phone. :-)

Yes, kotschoubeyanus.

Thank you for your help.

Now that I’m able to find more information on this variety I realize I’ve been growing it inappropriately. I thought this was a delicate plant. I’ve kept it in a tiny shallow pot, indoors with no grow light and it rarely gets watered. I came across photos in which they are growing in mud in their native habitat. Should I be watering this plant more often? I live in zone 9b, would it be okay if I just stick it in the ground amongst my agaves and other cacti? If what I’ve read is correct it should do just fine with our extreme heat and occasional frost.

I cannot grow cacti outside, so I will not try to answer your question. If you don’t get a reply here by tomorrow evening or so, start another thread. Some people may have just stopped reading this one.

I would not, it grows very slowly and it will be outgrown by your agaves. Also the rain and flooding in their habitat occurs in summer during the hot season and therefore dries out quickly. Not sure which z9b your are but if like mine with rain in winter, cold and wet is a no-no for this cactus (like for many others.). Definitely more sun throughout the year, a deeper pot with well drain-soil and more frequent water in the summer than regular cactus maybe. Otherwise no or very low water when cold. But it can stay outside during winter as long as not under the rain.