Tephrocactus Articulatus var. Papyracanthus (Paper Spine Cactus)
Segmented bushy succulents slowly grow up to up to 30 cm, it is the typical form of a group of variety. Stems: It develops in little pine-cone-shaped segments that are loosely attached to each other and fall easily. Spines: This species is very variable as to whether it is spine-bearing or not. The spiny form (also known as "papyracanthus") has broad, raffia like, conspicuous , flattened spines which are not spines but thin ribbon-like processes, and vary much as to their color, markings, and length. This variation is partly the cause of so many synonyms for the species. Flowers: Blooms are either white or yellow. The white flowers made a nice contrast to the earth-tone colors of the plant. Fruit: 1 to 5 cm long fruit is brown.
Tephrocactus articulatus v. strobiliformis is an attractive brown color cactus that has globular-shaped sections with minimal spines. The sections look like small green pine cones. You are bidding on 4 pieces. It will be shipped bare root. Beware of the barbed spines. Use paper not gloves when handling. Sections fall off almost to the touch. Expect some sections to be separated upon arrival. These sections can be planted and rooted. Let it root before watering. Roots can be determined by slightly tugging on the plant and detecting resistance.
These are cuttings. To get them rooted just lay them flat on the surface of the soil. They may start to curl like a potato chip, but whatever part of the pad touches the soil will take root. If you shove them into the soil standing them up they may rot before getting roots and new growth. Also, the pad may dry out and look like it's not going to make, but will miraculously send out new growth in the spring. Before roots and new growth appears it is recommended to keep water to a minimum, especially in cold weather.
The seeds arrived quickly but we did not receive part of our order. We are still waiting for the ones we received to grow so too early for full review.
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