Astrophytum myriostigma Onzuka, what is so unique about it?
G'day guys!
I just got myself two new Onzukas, shipped from Deutch. Ive been looking forward to get them to enrich my current Astrophytum gene pool.
Onzuka is a variant of Astrophytum myriostigma which is most sought after and considered unique to most grower out there. Why was it unique? My answer would be their pattern and shape; tend to grow into a perfectly ball-shaped cactus plus you may get various pattern including the exclusive V-pattern.
Below are the pictures of my newly aquired Onzukas for our viewing.
Onzuka #1
Onzuka #2
After repotting pictures.
Here is a brief info on how to care for A. myriostigma Onzuka
Description: Astrophytum myriostigma cv. Onzuka is probably the most beautiful, sought after and attractive of all the myriostigma cultivars. The “quadricostatum” form deviates from the well-known typical form for having four ribs instead of five.
Stem: Quadrangular to almost spherical, the plants become shortly columnar with age. The stems are smooth and can be over 90 cm tall and 5-10 (-20) cm in diameter. The cultivar 'ONZUKA' (In Japanese speaking "Onzuka Ranpo-gyoku") has snowy-white, heavily speckled epidermis with fabulous markings much like the ‘Super Kabuto’ asterias. The white marking varies considerably from plant to plant and there exist an enormous number of different designs, and also plants change their appearance in age and they are full of surprises as they grows.
Spines: None.
Ribs: 4 - 6
Flowers: Arise from the areole at the tip of the stem on mature plant. up to 5 cm wide (or more), pale-yellow, shining-silk, unlike the 5-ribbed plant.
Blooming season: Spring or late summer, They take up to 6 years to bloom.
Cultivation and Propagation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant in cultivation it is relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows very well on its own roots too. Use mineral well permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus). Water sparingly from March till October and keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is Hardy to -7°C for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun.
Be careful: The epidermis of ONZUKA is harder than in the normal myriostigmas and cracks easily if plants are overwatered.
Propagation: By seeds, remembering that seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions and need to be repotted frequently. Eventually, as they become mature, they attain a maximum size of 8-10 cm (20) cm in diameter. However, old plants become senile and have a tendency to succumb to disease and a weak root system. At this stage, as is well known, they die suddenly. So, after they reach 10 cm in diameter grow them slowly, and adopt a new repotting period, using intervals of every 2 - 3 years. Additionally grow them under drier conditions or with stronger sunlight.
But plants are often grafted to accelerate growth as they would generally take at least a five years to reach maturity on their own, but the grafted plants are typical rather tall growing, compared with plants on their own roots that are usually more flat to the ground.
In conclusion, I will use this two for breeding and in the future; aiming to hybridize Astrophytum ornatum with A. Myriostigma Onzuka.
Hopefully I could get A. ornatum later in the future.
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