Feb
Discocactus is a highly prized genus of cacti, very popular among the collector around the world. Reasons for that are their showy, beautiful white flowers, compact size, and slow growth. One of the most popular cactus within this genus is Discocactus horstii.
A true diamond in your garden
Discocactus horstii Is a small, round cactus that grows ups to 2 inches (5 cm) tall and up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter. Their size makes them unusual and eye-catching in every garden. The color of D. horstii varies though their life- its green ant first and turns in dark red or brown later. These cactus produce large, breathtaking white flowers that are up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) in diameter. D. horstii comes from Brasil and grows at an altitude of about 3280 feet (1000 m).
Grow and Care Tips
One of the reasons D. horstii is so popular is their sensitivity. This cactus is very difficult to grow on its own roots and is almost always seen as a grafted plant. If you want to grow it from the roots, you need to make sure that the soil is extremely well draining. The plant is very sensitive to overwatering or lack of water. You should water this cactus after the soil is completely dry and only on warm and sunny days.
D. horstii is a tropical cactus, so it loves high temperatures. It prefers full sun, but you should provide a little shade in the afternoon to keep it happy. You shouldn’t let it out on temperature below 59°F (15°C) or 46°F (8°C) if grafted. It can’t stand frost, so you should keep it warm in the winter. It the winter rest period, this cactus stops growing and forms cephalium, flower head covered with fibers.
If you take good care of your D. horstii and keep it healthy, it will reward you with beautiful white flowers. The plant opens its flowers in the late afternoon and they last to the next morning. Cacti lovers all agree that these are one of the most beautiful smelling flowers among cacti.