ariocarpus

Los ariocarpus They are very slow growing cacti that have a curious shape. This shape makes them one of the most popular botanical genera among succulent plant collectors, and also one of the most difficult to come by.

When they are marketed, they are often priced very high, since not only do it take several years for them to reach an adequate size to be marketed, but also they are very demanding plants in cultivation.

Origin and characteristics of the Ariocarpus

The Ariocarpus are a genus of cacti endemic to southern Texas and Mexico made up of eight species that we will see below. They are characterized by having a very thick root called a tuber from which other much thinner ones sprout. This tuber is responsible for storing water and nutrients that, in cases of need, can keep plants alive. 

Regarding the size, in general they are relatively small cacti, with a maximum diameter and height of 30 centimeters. They are made up of ribs that have been replaced by triangular shaped tubercles, which are arranged in a spiral. At the tip of each tuber they have an areola provided with a kind of whitish wool that is lost as it ages. The flowers emerge from the center of the plants, and are about 4-5 centimeters in diameter. Its color varies, and can be white or pink.

Ariocarpus species

The species are as follows:

Ariocarpus agavoides

El Ariocarpus agavoides is a cactus endemic to Mexico, which reaches a diameter of up to 8 centimeters. Its body is dark green to brown in color, and it produces magenta flowers 4 centimeters in diameter.

Ariocarpus bravoanus

El Ariocarpus bravoanus it is an endemic species of Mexico. Its body is greenish in color, small from 3 to 9 centimeters in diameter., and on the top of each tuber has protrusions. The flowers are magenta, and can measure 4-5 centimeters.

Ariocarpus fissuratus

El Ariocarpus fissuratus It is a cactus known as biznaga or peyotillo. It is endemic from Texas (United States) to northern Coahuila (Mexico). Measures between 5 and 15 centimeters in diameter, and its body is grayish green. It produces pink-magenta flowers of about 3-4 centimeters.

Ariocarpus furfuraceus

El Ariocarpus furfuraceus It is also a Mexican species, where it lives in Coahuila. Some consider it to be synonymous with Ariocarpus retusus. Its body is grayish-green, and measures about 20 centimeters in diameter.. The flowers, which can be white or pink, arise from the center, and are between 4-5 centimeters in diameter.

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus

El Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus it is an endemic species of Mexico. Reaches a height of 5 centimeters, although in its habitat it is almost buried by the desert sand. It is yellowish-green in color, and arises from a very thick and cylindrical root. The flowers are about 3 centimeters long and are lilac or magenta in color.

Ariocarpus retusus

El Ariocarpus retusus is a species of globose cactus endemic to Mexico, which reaches a height of 25 centimeters and a diameter of 30 centimeters. It is, therefore, one of the largest of the genre. Its flowers are yellow, white, or cream-colored, although they can sometimes be white with reddish lines in the center.

Ariocarpus scapharostrus

El Ariocarpus scapharostrus It is a cactus native to Nuevo Léon (Mexico). Measures a diameter of 9 centimeters and an approximate height of five centimeters. It is dark green in color, and has wool between the tubers. Its flowers are 4 centimeters in diameter and purple.

Ariocarpus trigonus

El Ariocarpus trigonus It is an endemic plant of Mexico with a diameter not exceeding ten centimeters. Its height is about 5-6 centimeters, and is olive green or greenish gray. Its flowers are yellowish-white, and measure 5 centimeters in diameter.

How are they cared for?

Do you dare to have an Ariocarpus? First of all, it is important that you know that due to the high demand, it is a genre that is protected especially in Mexico. Therefore, You only have to buy your specimen in specialized nurseries, where they have the necessary permits to be able to grow them and then sell them. 

Never should a hobby endanger the biodiversity of any place, since if it does, it will endanger the survival of the native flora and fauna of each country.

And with that said, let us know what the needs of the Ariocarpus are:

• Location: you have to place your plant outside, and get used to the direct sun little by little.
• Soil or substrate:
  • Flowerpot: use pumice (on sale No products found.), or small-grained gravel (no more than 3mm thick) with 40% peat.
  • Garden: with a hoe, make a planting hole of about 50 x 50cm. Then, cover the sides with a piece of shade or mosquito netting, and then fill it with some substrate mentioned before. Above, that is, around the cactus, it is interesting to put small stones to prevent that soil from mixing with that of the garden.
• Irrigation: occasional. It has to be watered once a week during the summer, and very occasionally the rest of the year; in fact, in winter it is advisable to water once a month. Of course, every time you water, pour water until the substrate is completely wet, otherwise not all the roots will hydrate.
• Subscriber: during the spring and until the end of the summer you can fertilize it with a liquid fertilizer for cacti (for sale No products found.) following the indications that you can read on the package.
• Multiplication: Ariocarpus multiply by seed during spring. Plant them in pots that are about the same height as they are wide, with a substrate composed of a mixture of equal parts peat and quartz sand.
• Pests: their main enemy are snails, as they devour them. When you see one, grab them and carry them away, about 50 meters or more. Another option is to use molluscicides (for sale No products found.), but you must keep them away from pets and children.
• Rusticity: they support very mild and short-term frosts, as long as they are punctual. In areas where the temperature does not drop below -2ºC they can be grown all year round outdoors, although while they are young they have to be protected a bit from hail.

What did you think of the Ariocarpus?