Pelecyphora

The name of this peculiar plant derives from ancient Greek and literally means "ax bearing", referring to the easily recognizable shape of its flat tubercles. It is a genus that includes only two species, considered sacred plants among Native Americans. They are both characterized by globose bodies and long areolas with very small, soft and flattened spines along the stem, giving the cactus a truly unique appearance! It has a fairly slow growth, but thanks to its extremely robust roots it is easy to grow, a perfect combination of need for little care and the originality of its appearance! Pelecyphora are not particularly difficult to cultivate but have a very slow growth. It is advisable to place them in a well-ventilated area, in the sun, and be very careful with the watering. Here are some simple tips for its proper care and cultivation: It requires a lot of brightness during all seasons and rather airy places. It is preferable to keep it at mild temperatures and never below 8 °C, for this reason it is recommended to shelter it during the winter period. Water moderately, only when the soil is completely dry. It is enough to water the plant once a week in spring and summer, once a month in autumn and to suspend watering completely in winter. A soil suitable for cacti is an optimal solution, even better if it is further mixed with pumice or lapilli. They do not need frequent fertilization, it is sufficient to dilute the fertilizer with watering once a year.