Eriosyce

(Eriosy'ce)

DESCRIPTION: These cacti are natives of Chile. The stem shape varies from short and tuberous to short and columnar, eventually becoming decumbent. These plants are suitable for growing in containers in a greenhouse or window garden. E. imitans forms a dark, flattened stem slowly growing atop a thick, underground taproot. This species only grows a few centimeters high and 31/4 inches wide. In early summer, shiny, creamy yellow flowers are borne. They are about 13/4 inches wide. E. senilis is an interesting plant that forms a single, globular stem, about 31/4 inches wide, eventually growing up to 7 inches high. This plant is clothed with curly spines ranging from yellow to white, with black tips. In the spring, tubular, red flowers grow from the tips of the stems. They are11/4 inches wide and 2 inches long. E. occulta is a short, tuberous plant with a brownish-black body that is covered with very short, black spines. The stems usually cluster with age. There is a spineless variety that is popular with collectors.

POTTING: Grow these plants in porous soil in a well-drained container. These plants are very rot prone, so take care when watering. E. napina is especially prone to rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost.

PROPAGATION: Seeds can be sown in the spring or summer in well-drained pots of sandy soil that are half-filled with crocks. Make sure the surface is evenly smooth and sow the seeds thinly on top. Cover them with a bit of fine soil. Moisten and lay a piece of glass across the top. The pots should be set in a warm greenhouse or sunny window until they start to sprout after which the glass should be removed so they can receive full light and air. It isn't good to keep the glass over the seedlings, so if some of them are up before others, they may be pricked out and placed in another pot. The transplanted seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted after which they can be planted separately in small pots.

VARIETIES: E. imitans; E. napina; E. senilis; E. subgibbosa var. nigrihorrida; E. villosa laniceps; E. occulta.

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