Frailea pygmaea var. gloriosa

Family: Cactaceae

Pot diameter: 6.5 cm

The name of this species comes from the Latin word "pygmaeus," meaning "dwarf," referring to the small size of the plant. It has a spherical or slightly elongated stem that generally does not exceed 2 cm in diameter and has yellow-brown cylindrical areoles from which very short bristly glossy white spines protrude. In summer, large, very striking, and decorative open yellow flowers bloom at the top.

The large bulbous root allows the plant to survive even during drought. To protect itself from bad weather, this small cactus is capable of "emptying out" until it is almost completely hidden under the ground!

Care: Requires full sun exposure. It can be placed in a partially shaded area, as long as it receives a lot of light throughout the year. It is preferable to keep it in mild temperatures and never below 8 °C, so it is recommended to protect it during the winter season.

Water moderately only when the soil is completely dry. It is sufficient to water once every two weeks in spring and summer, once every two months in autumn, and to completely cease watering in winter. A well-draining soil is the optimal solution to prevent rot, for example, a mixture of peat and pumice so that water is not retained. Frequent fertilizing is not needed; it is enough to dilute the fertilizer with the watering once a year.