Hard grown astrophytum capricorne var. niveum

     This mature astrophytum capricorne var. niveum is now resting as it's winter time here and temperatures are at freezing point. It does not receive water at all this time of the year and is kept in a well aerated, dry and well lit environment - sunlight only. It is a cold hardy specimen which can withstand temperatures of -10ºC, although in my set-up it rarely gets below 0ºC. In summer time it is kept in full sun at temps often above 40 ºC and flowers profusely if watered abundantly once a week or so. I use exclusively rainwater.

 

    The soil mix is coarse comprising perlite, coco choir,  small gravel, sand and self produced wormcasts. I rarely use nutrients on it - once or twice a year maybe. If so, I use something preferably organic with low N and high PK values enriched with microelements.

 

Lophophora fricii

Lophophora fricii - here in flower - is relatively easy to grow. It prefers a slightly basic soil with almost mineral content but it may accommodate, as in this case, some worm compost and even coco coir. Say 20% of the total soil mix. Another addition was perlite... too bad it tends to rise up at the surface when watering is done from above.

By the way, watering is sparse. Say twice a month when the weather is fine - that is over 28 degrees Celsius - and no high atmospheric humidity is encountered. Too much water will make it burst. It can take quite a lot of sun and cold if grown hard.

My understanding of the concept of hard growing will be explained later on.