What are the growth advantages of Astrophytum myriostigma? A detailed guide

Morphological characteristics of Astrophytum myriostigma

Genus Astrophytum. The plant body is spherical, and old plants become slender and cylindrical. The globe is 10-20 cm in diameter, with 3-9 obvious ribs, mostly 5 ribs. The areoles on the ribs have no spines, but have brown wool. The globe is grayish-white and densely covered with white stellate hairs or small scales. Flowers are borne on the areoles at the top of the globe, funnel-shaped, yellow or with a red center. The three-ribbed "Triangular Astrophytum myriostigma" is relatively rare and valuable, and the four-ribbed "Four-angled Astrophytum myriostigma", also called four-sided jade, has four broad ribs evenly symmetrical and is also very interesting.

The plant is solitary, initially round-spherical, later growing into a cylindrical shape, 16-18 cm in diameter.

Up to 50-60 cm tall, with 5 relatively high ribs, and the globe is in a symmetrical five-pointed star shape; large globes can increase to 6-8 ribs. The gray-green globe is densely covered with fine white stellate dots. From spring to summer, funnel-shaped orange-yellow flowers are borne at the top, with a flower diameter of 4-5 cm.

Growth environment of Astrophytum myriostigma

Native to Mexico. It prefers a cool, sunny environment, and in summer it also needs sufficient light. It requires well-drained, calcareous sandy soil.

Variety classification of Astrophytum myriostigma

Astrophytum myriostigma is a famous representative species of the genus Astrophytum in the cactus family, native to Texas, United States. Astrophytum myriostigma can undergo certain intergeneric hybridization, and the original species has many variant types. Some countries have done a great deal of work in breeding these two varieties, such as the "Super Kabuto, Yamamoto Kabuto, Turtle Shell Kabuto, Garden Kabuto" selected and bred in Japan, as well as "Onzuka Astrophytum myriostigma, Red-leaf Astrophytum myriostigma", etc., and China's selected and bred "Kabuto variegata, Hekihogyoku", etc.

Main value of Astrophytum myriostigma

It can be seen that its horticultural value is relatively high, and its ornamental value is likewise relatively high. It is a treasure that botanical gardens and succulent plant enthusiasts are keen to collect. Because this type of plant has a very low propagation coefficient and relatively great variability, it is not easy to preserve various horticultural varieties. Using tissue culture may be an effective way to solve the propagation and germplasm preservation of various horticultural varieties of Astrophytum and Astrophytum myriostigma, and it also has significance for protecting endangered plants. There have been no reports of successful tissue culture of this plant in China or abroad.