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Echinopsis obrepanda
Echinopsis Cactus. Cacti species
The Plant: Lobivia densispina (also known as Echinopsis
keuhnrichii), a columnar cactus with a dense covering of spines,
occasionally produces arm-like branches. Flowers are funnel-like
and wide.
Lobivia famatimensis (also called Rebutia famatimensis), Another
cylindrical-bodied cactus with pale yellow spines on its 20
ribs, occasionally flowers briefly in early summer.
Lobivia hertrichiana, a more globular or spherical cactus with
11 ribs and, again, yellow spines, occasional red flowers early
summer.
Its needs: Cacti need to be kept cool in winter, e.g. 5 – 8 C,
but must be above freezing. This encourages flowering. Dry air
advisable and good light which may include some direct sun.
Care: Do not water in winter, only water sparingly in spring and
autumn, but a little more generously during summer months, if
possible use rain water, a rare dose of weak cactus feed can be
given in summer. Young plants and offsets can be potted on in
spring.
Good for: Ideal very low maintenance plants. People tend either
to like cacti or not. Be aware that children will inevitably
touch the spines and find them exceedingly sharp! (Cacti can
also ‘snag’ net curtains!)
Watch out for: Mealybug aphids can get in between the spines and cause problems with this group of cacti.