What other names is the red crown cactus known by?

Common names of the red crown cactus

The red crown cactus is commonly known as the "red globe".

Habits of the red crown cactus

The red crown cactus belongs to the genus Gymnocalycium in the family Cactaceae, is native to Brazil, and its growing season is summer.

The suitable growing temperature is 20~25°C, it likes a warm, dry and sunny environment, 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, anticonvulsion, 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 heat entering the blood division, skin eruptions, convulsions, epistaxis, blood in the stool, amenorrhea, abdominal masses, intestinal abscess, sores and ulcers, and consumptive fever with steaming bone syndrome, etc.

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

Care tips for the red crown cactus

Repotting: repot every year in May; after generally 3~5 years of cultivation, the globe becomes pale in color and aged, and the offset globes need to be regrafted to renew it. The potting soil is a mix of leaf mold, culture soil and coarse sand.

Watering: during the growing season, spray the globe with water once every 1~2 days to make the globe fresher and more vivid.

Fertilizing: fertilize once a month during the growing season.

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

Propagation methods for the red crown cactus

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

Suggested planting combinations: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii 'Hibotan' and Gymnocalycium mihanovichii 'Hibotan' white form.

Supplement: the red crown cactus blooms relatively easily. Under sufficient light, it produces pink flowers in late spring and early summer.