2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Obregonia Is a plant belonging to the Cactaceae family.
Description
Obregonia is a bizarre cactus endowed with a spherical green decorative stem, the diameter of which can reach fifteen centimeters. The surface of this stem is densely covered with small triangular tubercles - some people mistake these tubercles for leaves. And in the sinuses of these tubercles, a fairly abundant white pubescence is formed.
Starting from May and somewhere until September, white funnel-shaped flowers are regularly formed on the obregonia, often reaching three centimeters in diameter.
Where grows
Obregonia came to us from distant Mexico, but at present it is most widespread in the American highlands.
Usage
Most often, obregonia can be found in greenhouses or in winter gardens - it is there that this plant takes root best, invariably pleasing the eye with its incomparable flowering.
Growing and caring
Obregonia is usually placed on the western, as well as on the eastern or southern windows, and it will be very good if the winter heating in this room is not particularly warm. The most preferred for growing obregonia will be soil mixtures with a pH level of 6, while brick chips with gravel need to be added to them more than for all other cacti. And so that the roots of obregonia do not rot, it is recommended to add charcoal to the soil as a prophylactic agent. As for the drainage, it should be high enough.
In the summer, obregonia must be shaded - in no case should it stand under the direct rays of the sun falling on it, but in winter it should be provided with the maximum amount of light. And, despite the fact that it is much less than other cacti in need of a significant decrease in the temperature of the content in winter, it is still important to try to maintain the temperature in the room around fifteen degrees - this is necessary so that the obregonia can subsequently please with its amazing flowering. If the plant is kept at higher temperatures in winter, it may not flower at all.
From spring to autumn, obregonia is watered with relatively small amounts of water about once a week, and in the winter season it will be enough just to make sure that the earthy clod does not dry out. As for waterlogging, it should not be allowed even for a very short period! And spraying of obregonia is also not needed.
This plant is usually fed with superphosphate. Other phosphorus fertilizers are quite suitable for this purpose. And in order to prevent changes in the reaction of the soil, from time to time it does not hurt to introduce lime in tandem with some fertilizer endowed with an acidifying effect. As for standard agricultural fertilizers, they are allowed to be applied exclusively in dry form. It is not forbidden to purchase formulations specially designed for succulents with cacti for dressing, but any other fertilizers are applied in dosages divided in two.
Obregonia is usually transplanted every two to three years, while very old plants can be transplanted even less often. During transplantation, it is recommended to cover the root collars with crushed stone, pieces of brick or pebbles. It is also necessary to systematically clean the stalks of plants from dust settling on them.
Obregonia reproduces almost always by the seed method, however, it is quite realistic to resort to grafting on cacti that are less prone to decay of the root necks. This ailment is the real scourge of obregonia, since its root collars rot at the slightest waterlogging, and this often turns into the death of the plant.
