The cultivation of Astrophytum

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Use mineral, for water well permeable substratum for A. asterias, A. coahuilense, A. caput-medusae and A. capricorne. For example brick stone chippings mixed with sand. For A. ornatum and A. myriostigma you can add some humus.

Prefere deep planting pots for A. asterias, A. caput-medusae because of the beet root. All other Astrophytums need more flat pots.

Growth time in middle Europe is March until October. Sunny till poor shady place. Penetrating watering in this time only when the substratum has dried out.

Keep the plants dry in the period of rest from November until February at temperatures from 8 to 12 centigrade. With very temperate watering in this time you can avoid shrinking of A. asterias or especially young seedlings, but follow absolutely the hints for minimum temperatures.

Fertilize: Two till three times per growth period with a nitrogen-poor fertilizer.

Grafting is recommended only for fast growth of seedlings. The grafted plants should be taken from the stock not later than after two years.

Caution: In the period of rest no high atmospheric humidity! Avoid too low temperatures absolutely. Astrophytum asterias and A. coahuilense requires your special attention at the cultivation. They are generally regarded as difficult, although they can be propagated very simply from seeds.

Propagation: is very simple bei sowing seeds. At 25-30 centigrade they germinate in high humidity atmosphere within a few days (use substratum mentioned above). A. caput-medusae needs up to four weeks for germination. To multiply Astrophytums vegetative cut the body with a sterile knive in two parts. The part with roots will shoot out from the central. Take off the shoots and re-root them. In seldom cases Astrophytum produce shoots out from an areole or between ribs.

photos:
pollinating
sowing
seedlings compared
growth of grafted seedlings
grafting
repoting
fungus infection
renewing roots

genus Astrophytum
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