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Cactus SucculentConservatory Greenhouse

Parodia scopa subsp. scopa
  • RHS AGM

silver ball cactus

P. scopa is a cactus with solitary or clustering, globose to cylindrical stems to 50cm tall, with dense fine white or pale brown spines and funnel-shaped bright yellow flowers to 4cm across

Other common names
silver ball
Synonyms
Parodia scopa
Notocactus scopa
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Yellow
Autumn
Winter
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

Parodia are cacti with either solitary or clustered, many-ribbed, globose, spiny stems, with funnel-shaped flowers near the apex

Name status

Correct

Plant range
South America, Brazil, Uruguay

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in standard cactus compost in full or bright filtered light. Water moderately from mid-spring to late summer and apply a low nitrogen liquid fertiliser every 6-8 weeks

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19-24°C (66-75°F) in spring or summer

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

no pruning required

Pests

mealybugs and aphids may appear

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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