21:22 All rebutias are beautiful in the spring flowering period, and this quick growing species is particularly good.
The individual heads of this solitary or clustering cactus are globular, sometimes with a flattened top, and reach a height of only 2in/5cm or so.Â
The short white spines form a neat pattern against the green stem, and in spring each head is surrounded by lV2-m/4-cm-wide crimson-scarlet flowers, which give it its other name, Mexican sunball. In the home, as in its natural habitat, rebutia needs plenty of sunshine, so it will be happiest standing on a sunny windowsill.
FACT FILE
ORIGIN Northern Argentina.Â
HEIGHT To 2in/5cm.
POTTING MIX Soil- or peat-moss-based with added coarse sand or grit for good drainage.Â
REPOTTING In summer every 2 years in a wide, shallow pot.
PROPAGATION Remove offsets in summer and pot them up individually, or sow seed in spring.Â
KEEPING PLANTS Â Watch out for mealybugs, which may be a problem, especially on new growth.
Red Crown Cactus (Rebutia minuscula) PLANT CARE
- Full sun, but protect from hot midsummer sun.Â
- Normal to warm room temperature, with a winter minimum of 45″F/7″C.Â
- Water freely during spring and summer, but never overwater. Do not water in winter.Â
- Feed every 2 weeks with a high-potash fertilizer from the time the buds form and throughout the period of active growth.
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