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Rebutia arenacea
  • RHS AGM

arenaceous crown cactus

A cactus which forms globose, slightly flattened, green to brownish-green stems, 2-4cm high and 2-6cm wide. Very neat, symmetrical habit with small, light coloured spines radiating from the areoles. Stems solitary when young only clumping when mature. Flowers produced in quantity around the base of the stem, are deep yellow to orange and borne in spring

Other common names
crown cactus
Synonyms
Sulcorebutia arenacea
Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cm
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Yellow
Summer Green Brown Red
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Cactaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Rebutia can be solitary or clustering cacti, with globose or shortly cylindrical, ribbed or tuberculate stems, and showy funnel-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Bolivia

How to grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in standard cactus compost in full light with low humidity. From March to October, water only when compost approaches dryness and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser 3 or 4 times during the growing season. Keep frost free and completely dry late autumn and winter as the plant is extremely sensitive to excess water at the roots

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 21°C (70°F) in early spring, or remove offsets in spring or summer

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

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs early in the season

Diseases

Relatively disease resistant

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