Pelecyphora strobiliformis -- A brief history

[David_L]

Christer was jubilant about some Pelecyphora strobiliformis seed germinating and Diane warned that it is sloooooow! And so it is, about as fast as its cousin Pelecyphora asseliformis and the slower Ariocarpi. I promised some picture of mine. Top extreme left Mesa Garden seed sown Feb. 2004, top middle and right Cactus Heaven seed sown Aug 2005. Bottom left a seedling from the 2005 sowing grafted on a seedling of Opuntia compressa in 2006, middle bottom a mature seedling flowering for the second time in 2007, a bought plant about 7-8 years old; right bottom a mature seed grown plant bought I think from Chiltern and about 12-13 years old but that's a guess. The 2004 and 2005 seedlings were kept in bags under lights for about 18 months, before acclimatising to the greenhouse, and are now having a normal winter rest at a minimum of about 6C.
[attachment 8566 Pelycyphora_strobiliformis.jpg]

[David_L]

The flowers are worth waiting for. Pelecyphora asseliformis on the left and Pelecyphora strobiliformis on the right. I have not found Pelecyphoras especially difficult. Very free draining compost, more water than you might expect in hot weather and watch out for spider mite which loves them!
[attachment 8567 Pelecyphora.jpg]

[DaveW]

I think mine must of originally been an import because I got it in the early days, the 1960's I think as a single head, and it does not grow very quickly with me.

Pelecyphora asseliformis

[attachment 8568 Pelecyphora3.jpg]

DaveW

[sechjoh]

Nice pictures and plants David!

Anyone knows how big/old they have to bee before they flower? Does that differ between P. asseliformis and P. strobiliformis?

Thanks

[anders]

Mine flowered when they were about 3 cm tall (both species).

[sechjoh]

anders Wrote:
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> Mine flowered when they were about 3 cm tall (both
> species).

That's good to know. How old (about) are they when they are 3 cm tall?

[Clement]

Dave , you have wonderful plant !

[Maria J]

Nice plants & photos!

[DaveW]

My Pelecyphora (Encephalocarpus) strobiliformis:-

[attachment 8576 strobiliformis.jpg]

Not as old a plant as the P. asseliformis, but I have had it a few years now and it was about a 4 year old seedling when I first got it.

You can of course always graft your seedlings onto a robust stock to push them on, degrafting and rooting down later if you are in a hurry.

DaveW

[David_L]

I would estimate 6-8 years for the first flowers, but a lot will depend on your growing conditions.