'Bruch's Chin Cactus'

Family

Cactacaea

Native

Argentina

Description

Gymnocalycium bruchii is a miniature cactus with flattened, blue-green, thick growing, clumping stems, up to 1.5 inches (4 cm) in diameter and up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) long. The spines are white, bristly, straight or curved. The flowers are bell to funnel-shaped, up to 2.5 inches (6 cm) wide, with an unusual shade of lavender-white in early spring, followed by green fruits.

Environment

Gymnocalycium bruchii is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate. The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.

It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil. Prefer a low pH compost, avoid substrata rich in limestone; otherwise growth will stop altogether. Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter. Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.

Landscape Uses

It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It is suitable in a rockery.