Gymnocalycium Mihanovichii v. Friedrichii (or so it was labelled by the seller).
I bought this plant just over three months ago from an E-Bay trader. On arrival, I was a bit concerned as to its appearance (which wasn't much like the picture in the listing, which turned out to be "an example"...) but the seller assured me that it is perfectly normal for one of these plants to look like this, and the complete absence of any green and the black "highlights" are just a feature of this species.
I potted it up carefully, and in the ensuing period it has altered not one jot. And I'm beginning to wonder - is it, like the proverbial parrot, deceased? I appreciate three months isn't long in the lifespan of a cactus but I can't help but wonder... Can I get the opinion of those that know please, is the colour and overall general appearance that of a live plant?
Nick_G wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 1:52 pm
Are there any new spines appearing?
Hi Nick, no nothing so far as I can tell. There are two tiny protrusions at the top of the plant that just may have been the beginnings of flower buds but in all honesty its really hard to tell...
It looks a bit dehydrated, but the colour is quite normal for this species. They do prefer an ericaceous potting mix, though, as do most Gymnos, so you might want to think about repotting it...
It has been watered regularly since being in my custody, but I guess if it has indeed lost its roots that won't have made a lot of difference..! I'll take it out and re-pot it. Thanks Diane for the tip ref the compost. I did in fact buy another one about a month after this one which is in the same compost and seems to be doing fine (and is fundamentally green!), I'll think about re-potting that one in ericaceous too...
Are those buds developing? If so, I think it's probably OK. Actually, while this plant looks a little shrivelled, which indicates the roots may be a bit dodgy, the colouration is quite typical for this species, and indeed is one of its attractive features in my opinion.
ralphrmartin wrote: ↑Wed Jul 01, 2020 6:41 pm
Are those buds developing? If so, I think it's probably OK. Actually, while this plant looks a little shrivelled, which indicates the roots may be a bit dodgy, the colouration is quite typical for this species, and indeed is one of its attractive features in my opinion.
If they are buds (so small its hard to tell) then they haven't changed or developed at all in the last three months...
I've just taken the plant out of the pot and removed all of the compost (with warm soapy water and a rinse). There is a small amount of root, though the bottom of the plant is hard and a light brown colour. I'll give it another spray of SB later, then let it dry overnight and look to re-pot it in ericaceous in the morning.
I too like the colouring actually, it's unusual, its just that it isn't what I was expecting when I bought it and the lack of any signs of life made me wonder if the colour in fact indicated a problem... Anyway, as Rod said, worth a try and I've got little to lose I suppose!
Good luck getting it going. This group of Gymnos needs a bit more warm than some of the others, and perhaps a little watering occasionally in winter can help to prevent them losing their roots.
