Gymnocalycium baldianum

Gymnocalycium baldianum, the spider-cactus or dwarf chin cactus, is a species of flowering plant in the cactus family Cactaceae, native to the Catamarca Province in Argentina.

Gymnocalycium baldianum

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Genus: Gymnocalycium
Species:
G. baldianum
Binomial name
Gymnocalycium baldianum
Speg., 1905
Synonyms
  • Echinocactus baldianus Speg., 1905
  • Echinocactus venturianum

Description

It is a globose cactus, spherical or a little flat, with a diameter up to 8 cm, dark green in colour, or sometimes brown. It has 8 to 10 ribs with tubercle-shaped areoles, covered in groups of 6 to 8 pale grey, curved spines, giving to the species its common name of spider-cactus. Like many cacti, it does not divide but may form offsets after some years. The funnel-shaped flowers reach a diameter of 6 cm, growing near the apex of the plant and are red, pink or orange.[2]

Cultivation

Gymnocalycium baldianum is easy to grow. It needs a well-drained soil. In summer, water the plants well, but let them to dry before watering again. Use monthly a fertilizer for cacti.[2] In winter, keep it dry, and the temperature may be as low as −10 °C (14 °F), but it is better to keep it without frost. The exposure must be sunny in summer and at least brightly lit in winter.

This species has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]

  • Seedlings
  • View from above
  • Flower from the side
  • Flowers from above view

References
  1. "Gymnocalycium baldianum". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2013. 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  2. "'Gymnocalycium baldianum". Cactus Art Nursery. Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  3. "RHS Plantfinder - Gymnocalycium baldianum". Retrieved 3 March 2018.
  4. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 43. Retrieved 2 March 2018.


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