Lobivia

High-altitude cacti with a developed root system and spherical or cylindrical stems, in natural conditions are often prone to form colonies, which is promoted by the development of radical offspring. The fins of the stems are rounded, the areoles are located on tubercles;flowers in most species are funnel-shaped, wide-open, flower tubes and fruits are pubescent with hairs or bristles.

The most common species in the indoor culture: Bakeberg's Lobivia ♦ Small cactus( up to 5 cm in diameter);the stem is spherical or slightly elongated, light gray;spines unevenly distributed, from brown to gray;carmine flowers. Lobivia Bolivian * Stem up to 10 cm tall, cylindrical, light gray-green;spines very long, curved and intertwined, light brown;flowers pink-red with a lighter throat. Lobivia cinnabar-red * Stem up to 15 cm in diameter, globose-flattened with well-defined ribs, old specimens form lateral shoots;spines acicular, hard, light brown, apex of the stem slightly pubescent;carmine flowers or movie-red-red. Lobivia pautpine( cobweb) ♦ Small cactus( up to 4 cm in diameter);the stem is spherical with a depressed apex;spines thin, adjacent to the stem, light brown;flowers with shiny shine from dark yellow to orange, fruits are reddish. Relatively unpretentious cacti. Features:

Demand for moisture: no special features( in winter they contain almost no watering).

Temperature regime: in the winter rest period the optimum temperature is 8 - 12 ° С.It does not just suffer, but also needs sharp daily temperature changes.

Light mode: very photophilous in summer, but in the spring it is desirable to lighten the shade.

Soil requirement: pH - 5,6;the optimal soil mixture in a ratio of 4: 3: 3 from soddy and deciduous land with a sand mixture into which gravel crumbs, expanded clay or pieces of brick are added.

Reproduction: in addition to traditional methods, even lateral shoots-offspring.

Other features: requires ventilation of premises.