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Cactus SucculentConservatory Greenhouse

Astrophytum ornatum

monk's hood cactus

A spherical to columnar cactus with 6-8 ribs that are straight or occasionally spiralled to 35cm tall. These are light-green and are cross-banded with small woolly scales. Areoles are close-set and bear brown or yellow spines. Pale yellow flowers are borne in summer

Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
10–20 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green White
Summer Green White Yellow
Autumn Green White
Winter Green White
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Cactaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Astrophytum are compact perennial cacti with ribbed, spherical or columnar stems bearing woolly, sometimes also shortly spiny areoles, and large, solitary, funnel-shaped flowers in summer, followed by red or green berries

Name status

Correct

Plant range
CE Mexico

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a sharply-draining, peat-free, loam-based compost with extra sharp sand, or a proprietary cactus compost, in bright filtered light. Water thoroughly once the compost has become dry in the growing season from spring to early autumn, but keep dry when dormant. In warmer climates outdoors grow in sharply-drained, poor, slightly alkaline soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 21°C in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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