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One of the most fascinating thing about plant is their balance . Often observed in the organisation of flowers that are visually sympathetic to both brute pollinators and humans , this symmetry usually resemble cosmic patterns and shapes . But this is not limited to flower alone ; flora symmetry is also present in the foliage , roots , and stems of unlike flora .
The cactus kinsperson houses many species with symmetrical growth , copy profile like that of stones , pads , sea creatures , and star . A pop species is theAstrophytum asteriaswhich , as the name indicate , resemble the shape of a plump star .
learn on to learn more about this out - of - this - world cactus .
What is a Star Cactus?
The Star Cactus is a low - develop , thornless cactus that is botanically jazz asAstrophytum asterias . It also goes by other common name such asSand Dollar Cactus , Sea Urchin Cactus , andStar Peyote , pertaining to the appearance of the cactus . It is determine like a dome with pronounced , albeit shallow , 5 to 8 green to brownish green ribs .
In the natural state , the growth is rather flat , almost flush with the soil , especially during wry conditions . This makes the plant life quite incognito , disappearing into the dirt and under fallen leaves . Each of the triangular stem ribs is line with white areolas covered in little white tufts .
The lonely plant can grow as tall as 7 cm ( 3 inches ) and as wide as 15 cm ( 6 inches ) while those develop indoors can remain rounded and fitted in a small-scale pot , view their slow rate of maturation .
From March to May , funnel - form yellow star cactus flowers with orange centers appear on top of the works , make the sand buck cactus more obtrusive . Fruiting will then commence where small ruby - pinkish ellipse fruit covered in blurry hair appear in place of the dry out blooms .
As suggest by one of the uncouth names of this industrial plant , it can be throw with the medicative or hallucinogenicLophophora williamsiior Peyote . The basic syllable structure of both plants are alike , but the differences are Peyotes are blue - cat valium without the white scale , their bloom are pale pink , and the roots are not as fibrous as with Star cactus ( 1 ) .
Like most cacti , the Star Peyote is abundant in the hot and humid regions with mellow temperature in Texas and Mexico . It was first learn as anEchinocactusin the 1820s by a German botanist , Karwinsky , in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas and then reclassified about 20 year later ( 2 ) .
Why is the Star Cactus endangered?
Throughout the years , the novelty of this plant made it pop among collector , and together with the erroneous harvest home with peyotes , this caused a decline in its universe in the wild . It is now federally list as peril and there has been ongoing enquiry on how to re-introduce the plant in its innate habitat . works available in the grocery store are obtained through commercial propagation techniques instead ( 3 ) .
How To Grow An Astrophytum Asterias Cactus
produce an Astrophytum asterias cactus , also jazz as the “ Star Cactus , ” want attention to several key aspects to see its wellness and longevity :
Sunlight
Star Cacti expand in brilliant indirect sun . Place them in a west or south facing window where they can get at least six hours of direct sunshine day by day . Protect them from the vivid midday sun , as prolonged exposure can scorch their delicate pelt .
Soil
To ensure that your Astrophytum asterias flourish , it ’s authoritative to imbed it in alimental - plentiful soil .
drive for a portmanteau word of equal parts mellow - lineament cactus mix , vulgar perlite , and vulgar sand . This combination offers fantabulous drainage thanks to the inorganic components .
While the constituent material in the cactus mix supply essential nutrients and help retain some wet for your Astrophytum asterias to flourish . This will aid your plant turn healthy and strong .
Water
Water slenderly , allowing the ground to dry out out completely between waterings . During the growing time of year ( bound and summertime ) , body of water approximately once a workweek . In the abeyant time of year ( gloam and wintertime ) , reduce the absolute frequency of watering to once a calendar month or less to prevent root rot .
Fertilizer
Feed Astrophytum asterias with a balanced , water - soluble fertilizer dilute to one-half strength every 4 - 6 weeks during the growing time of year to explicate grand flowers . Avoid fertilizing during the hibernating period to forestall overfeed and potential hurt to the plant .
Pruning
While these north american cacti broadly speaking require minimal pruning , slay any dead or damaged tissue paper with sterile scissors grip or prune shear to maintain the plant ’s overall health and appearance .
Diseases and Pests
Astrophytum asterias are relatively resistive to pests and disease when allow with right attention . However , they can on occasion be affected by common cactus cuss such as mealybugs or spider mites .
Inspect the plant on a regular basis , and treat any infestations promptly with insecticidal goop or neem oil .
How to Propagate and Care for Star Cactus
In summer , when the plant is actively grow , applications programme of fertilizer is recommended but should be in conjunction with watering .
Feeding will promote green and sturdier stems and can leave in profuse and healthy flower . However , it is important to note that over - fertilization can cause fertilizer burn and may result in elongated ontogenesis .
This recitation is best timed with therepotting of the cactus , flop when the nutrient from the potting medium are being replenished . The aeration around the works ’s roots grant them to take in the nutrients to support the works ’s growth ( 2 ) .
What is the easy way to propagate a Star Peyote?
PropagatingA. asteriasby seeds from the dried flower is rather easy but time - deplete . It can instead be grafted onto other cacti like Pereskiopsis and Echinopsis .
A micropropagation technique also prove to be extremely efficient in reproduce the Star cactus , not just for commercial purposes but to aid repopulate the wild . This is done in the lab through the utilization of tissue paper finish engineering .
Best Types of Star Cactus
#1. A. asterias f. aurea
This astrophytum cactus is a result of a variation causing the yellowness to the yellow - orange radical of the flora . Because of the want of chlorophyll , the plant can not allow long exposure to direct sun and poses a difficulty in polish .
#2. A. asterias f. cristatum
An even more out - of - this - world edition of the Baroness Dudevant dollar sign cactus , this plant showcases a fan - like wrinkled stem turn emergence . It is usually get grafted on another cactus but growing on its own root is possible too .
#3. A. asterias cv.Superkabuto
“ Superkabuto ” is another mutation that resulted in a unparalleled cuticle of the Star cactus cover in fuzzy blanched spots . Other forms also exist displaying unlike wooly patterns on the base .
#4. A. asterias cv.Showa Red
This cactus is typical of Star cactus but come in the blooming time of year , the bloom borne are quite more exquisite . The petals appear rip up and come in shades of two color , red - orangish , and pinkish purpleness .
#5. A. asterias cv.Nisiki
The “ Nisiki ” is a series of Star cactus come out with variegated stems . They occur in jaundiced and orange desegregate with the original common of the root in unlike pattern . Like the aurea , this cactus does not brook full sunlight exposure .
#6. A. asterias cv.Muscle
“ Muscle ” may seem like a strange - looking Star cactus , but it is among the highly prized ones . It develop a striking branching pattern , producing tiny side pup make the plant reckon knobbly or “ muscle . ”
FAQs
How big do Astrophytum Asterias get ?
Astrophytum asterias can grow up to 6 - 8 inches ( 15 - 20 cm ) tall and 4 - 6 inch ( 10 - 15 cm ) wide , though they may reach larger sizes in optimal condition .
Are Astrophytum asterias ego productive ?
Yes , Astrophytum asterias is ego - fecund , mean it can cross-pollinate and bring forth seminal fluid without the penury for another plant .
Is the star cactus rare ?
Yes , the asterisk cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) is consider rarefied in its natural home ground due to habitat loss , overcollection , and illegal trade . However , it is educate by enthusiasts worldwide .
What does the star cactus symbolize ?
Symbolically , the star cactus represent resiliency , protection , and endurance . Its ability to thrive in harsh desert environs symbolise strength and adaptability , while its headliner - determine appearance has associations with direction and Bob Hope .
Also check moretypes of cactiyou can grow .
cite
Reference List :
( 1 ) Terry , M. et . al . A Tale of Two Cacti- The Complex Relationship between Peyote and Endangered Star Cactus . Sul Ross State University , Department of Biology . 2007 . P. 115.https://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_p048/rmrs_p048_115_121.pdf . Accessed 3 May 2025 .
( 2 ) Arizona College of Agriculture and Sciences . Astrophytum asterias . The University of Arizona . 2020.https://apps.cals.arizona.edu/arboretum/taxon.aspx?id=1183 . Accessed 27 March 2025 .
( 3 ) Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation . Star Cactus . Texas Park and Wildlife Magazine . 2020.https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wild/wildlife_diversity/nongame/listed-species/plants/star_cactus.phtml . Accessed 2 December 2024 .
( 4 ) Birnbaum , S.Habitat Characterization and Pilot Reintroduction of Star Cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) . Texas State University . 2009.https://digital.library.txstate.edu/handle/10877/9027 . Accessed 19 December 2024 .
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