Astrophytum asterias (Star cactus) – Indoor House Plants

Star cactus (Astrophytum asterias) is a small, spineless, disk or dome-shaped member of the Family Cactaceae (Cactus Family). It is 2-15 centimeters (1-6 inches) across, and up to 7 centimeters (3 inches) tall. Star cactus is dull green-to-brown in color, often speckled with a covering of tiny white scales. The body is divided into eight, vaguely triangular sections. Each triangular section has a central line of circular indentations (areoles) filled with whitish, wooly hairs. During periods of dequate moisture, star cactus is usually a dull green color; however, during droughts, the cactus becomes brownish and loses fullness so that it becomes flush with the ground and almost perfectly camouflaged. Flowers are yellow with orange centers, and up to 15 centimeters (6 inches) in diameter. The fruits of star cactus are green to grayish-red, somewhat obscured by white wooly hairs, about 1.25 centimeters (0.5 inches) long, oval, and fleshy when mature. The seeds are glossy, dark brown with an enlargement of a chamber of the seed coat forming a flaring collar that encircles the hilum.

Scientific name: Astrophytum asterias

Common name: Star cactus

How to grow and maintain Astrophytum asterias:

Sunlight:

Light shade to full sun, its shading tends to wealthier and darker when developed in light shade.

Soil:

Utilize mineral well porous substratum with minimal natural matter (peat, humus), plants may turn out to be excessively extended if manure is excessively rich.

Watering:

Requires careful watering to keep plant compact. Water sparingly from March till October, the thin, fibrous roots suffer if there is humidity, therefore the plant should be watered only when the surrounding terrain is dry. Keep dry as soon as the temperature starts dropping in October and keep it perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade.

Fertilization:

It develops significantly quicker with a low nitrogen content compost in spring and summer. Potassium helps keeping up the plants minimized and sound.

Propagation:

They propagate by seed, and their seeds are gfairly fragile: be tender with them before planting. They also have a fairly short shelf life and need to be planted quickly after harvesting to have a reasonable chance at rooting. When planting them, make sure they’re in well-aerated soil, then seal the newly planted seeds in to help catch moisture and heat. It can help to soak seeds before they’re planted.

Pests and diseases:

Astrophytum asterias may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:

Red spiders:

Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by watering the infested plants from above.

Mealy bugs:

Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.