Living Rock, False Peyote
Synonym: Mammillaria fissurata, Roseocactus fissuratus, Anhalonium fissuratum, Ariocarpus fissuratus var. lloydii, Ariocarpus lloydii, Roseocactus intermedius
Family: Cactaceae
Listed in CITES Appendix 1
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Recommended Temperature Zone: sunset: 11-13 USDA: 8b-11 Frost Tolerance: Hardy to 15°F (-10°C) Minimum Avg. Temperature: 45°F (7°C) Sun Exposure: Full sun Origin: USA (Texas, New Mexico), northern Mexico (Coahuila, Chihuahua and Durango) Growth Habits: Solitary, grows extremely slowly to 8 inches in diameter (20 cm) Watering Needs: Little to no water in winter, little in summer, needs good drainage Propagation: Seeds, grafted to accelerate growth |
The plants encountered as A. fissuratus var. lloydii have smoother tubercles, often without a fissure.
Cultural Practices:
The Ariocarpus are rare slow growing cacti, a 6 inches in diameter mature specimen might be 20 years old. For many years the large mature specimens were collected in the wild, practice that has been severely limited by the new regulations, either in Mexico or in international trade. They are not adapted as house plants as they need a lot of sun and careful watering. The large taproot needs enough room to grow, which complicates the good drainage requirement, since the deeper the pot, the slower it drains.
The center growing part is sensitive to mealybugs attacks. Since this part is woolly, mealy bugs can be difficult to notice. The plant should be treated as soon as mealybugs are noticed.
Blooming Habits:
The Ariocarpus fissuratus has large, diurnal, 1.5 inches in diameter (4 cm), pale to deep pink satin flowers in mid summer, followed by fruit buried in the wool.
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