What is Gymnocalycium mihanovichii? An introduction to ornamental plants in the cactus family

Common names of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii is commonly known as the "red globe".

Habits of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii belongs to the genus Gymnocalycium in the cactus family, is native to Brazil, and its growing season is summer.

The suitable growing temperature is 20~25°C, it likes a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunlight, tolerates partial shade and drought, is not cold-hardy, and fears waterlogging and strong light.

Pharmacological experiments: it has effects such as lowering blood pressure, sedation, anticonvulsant, antipyretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Its taste is pungent and bitter, and its nature is slightly cold. It has the function of clearing blood heat and dissipating blood stasis. It mainly treats conditions such as heat entering the blood aspect, skin eruptions, convulsions, epistaxis, bloody stools, amenorrhea, abdominal masses, intestinal abscess, sores and ulcers, and consumptive heat with steaming bones.

Home cultivation often uses grafting for propagation. Common pests and diseases include: anthracnose and red spider mite.

Care tips for Gymnocalycium mihanovichii

Repotting: repot every year in May; after generally 3~5 years of cultivation, the globe becomes pale and aged, and it needs to be re-grafted with offsets for renewal. Use a mixed soil of leaf mold, potting soil and coarse sand.

Watering: during the growing season, spray the globe 1 time every 1~2 days to keep the globe fresher and more vivid.

Fertilizing: fertilize 1 time per month during the growing season.

Light and temperature: full sun. When the light is too strong, provide appropriate shade at noon to avoid scorching the globe. In winter it needs ample sunlight; if the light is insufficient, the globe will become dull and lusterless.

Propagation methods of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii

Grafting: best done in spring and summer; Hylocereus undatus is commonly used as the rootstock. For grafting, twist off a robust offset from the mother plant and use a blade to flatten the base of the offset. At the same time, flatten the top of the Hylocereus undatus, then press the offset tightly against the center of the rootstock cut and tie the two firmly together; after grafting, untie them once healed 10 days later.

Suggested planting combinations: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii var. friedrichii and Mammillaria herrerae

Note: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii flowers relatively easily. Under sufficient light, it produces pink flowers in late spring and early summer.