Melocactus Link & Otto (1827)

(Greek melon = melon, apple; Greek kaktos = cactus)
melon cactus
globular, broad globular or elongated; 5–20 ribs; spines usually thick, often also bended
flowering plants with cephalium, felted, with bristles interspersed, at the apex
flowers small, bell shaped to funnel-form, appear at the cephalium, usually nights, to several, reddish
fruits small clubbed, red or white, at ripeness pressed out of the cephalium and falling off; seeds black

 Highslide JS
 

Distribution

 Mexico to northern South America and Caribbean
savanna and sparse forests

Growth period

 half to full sunny location, very warm and wet
warm and damp climate through frequent mist
in spring initially mist till the shrunken plants starts to fill with water
then occasionally watering
somewhat sensitive to to much moisture! main growth is in fall
plants should be cultivated in large pots or bowls

Winter period

 light and dry at a minimum of 59°F (15°C), constant heat
ca. every 3–4 weeks spray with water

Substrat

 mainly minerally with a amount of humus
addition of quartz gravel is highly recommended
   
Melocactus azureus Buining & Brederoo (1971)
 
Highslide JS
   Highslide JS    
         

Habitat

Brazil
Bahia - Serra de Espinhaco
on weathered rocks, on arid mountain slopes
of the Rio Jucaréin in ca. 1480 ft (450 m) altitude

Description

azure blue Melocactus
to 6.7 in (17 cm) high and 5.5 in (14 cm) broad
9–10 ribs, sharp-edged
areoles oval, somewhat sunken
spines strong, gray white with dark brown tips
cephalium white wooly, with fine red bristles interwoven
flowers funnel form, carmine, above somewhat darker

Synonyms

 -

CITES

 Appendix II
 
Description of "Kakteen von A bis Z" by Walter Haage with courtesy by Kakteen-Haage made available.
Pictures of the collection by Donna and Robert Ellis; Tucson, Arizona

 

 

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