Imagine a cactus that looks like it ’s straight out of a sci - fi movie , with tangled snake - like root and weird fuzzy white dots all over . That ’s the Astrophytum caput - medusae , also get laid as the Medusa ’s Head Cactus ! This nonnatural plant life is certain to be the hotshot of your indoor garden or out-of-door desert landscape .
If you ’re fascinate and ready for a playfulness , bizarre improver to your plant collection , keep read ! We ’ll turn over into everything you demand to live about originate and caring for this eye - catching succulent from Mexico .
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About Astrophytum caput-medusae
The Astrophytum head - medusae is a unique species of cactus native to persona of Mexico . It grows in a clump of narrow cylindrical stems covered in white woolly areoles that resemble fuzzy warts or tentacles . The stems can make up to 8 inches tall and 2 - 3 inches panoptic .
In the spring , this cactus produces low scandalmongering and white blossom that give fashion to unripe fruits . The overall shape and texture make it look like the works came straight from out of this world !
bear on Post:111 Types of Astrophytum Cacti [ With Pictures ]
Astrophytum caput-medusae Care Guide
Lighting Needs
These eldritch cacti absolutely crave lots of direct sun . train to give your Astrophytum at least 6 hour per mean solar day of hopeful , unfiltered rays . outside in full sun is idealistic .
Indoors , place it right in a south or Dame Rebecca West - facing window . you could alsouse a grow lightabout 6 in above the flora if you do n’t have a ace sunny windowpane post . Leave the grow lights on for 12 - 14 hour per solar day .
During winter if out-of-door temp dip below freezing , bring it in spite of appearance near the cheery window or directly under grow lights .
Water Requirements
During the bound and summertime growing season , deep water your Medusa ’s promontory every 2 - 4 weeks , letting the dirt dry out completely between lacrimation . intoxicate the grunge exhaustively until water run out the drain holes .
In super hot clime over 90 ° F , you may call for to up the tearing to every 1 - 2 week . Just be careful not to overwater and let the soil staysoggy .
Give your cactus a wintertime drought point with just an occasional light drink when the soil is bone dry .
The Right Soil Mix
A well - drainingcactus / succulent soil mixis consummate for Astrophytum caput - medusa . If making your own , combine 2 parts potting mix with 1 part coarse sand or perlite for added drainage .
you could also integrate some peat moss into the portmanteau word to help retain some moisture between lacrimation . Just insure the final mixture drain apace to prevent rot .
Fertilizing
Feed your weird cactus every 4 - 6 weeks during the bounce and summer with a balanced cactus fertiliser diluted to half strength . Withhold fertiliser over the winter abeyant months .
Hardy & Pest-Resistant
These low - upkeep plants are super stalwart and seldom bothered by pestis or diseases , peculiarly when their growing circumstance are met .
Potential issues admit mealybug , scales or origin rot from overwatering . employ rubbing alcoholic drink to clean off any pests and allow the soil to dry out if rot occurs .
How to Propagate Astrophytum caput-medusae
propagate more Medusa ’s Head cacti is a fun and well-heeled way to enlarge your assemblage of these bizarre plants . you’re able to propagate from seeds , cuttings or even ingraft .
From Seeds
From Cuttings
Grafting
For a unique turn of events , you’re able to engraft an Astrophytum caput - medusae cut onto a hardy cactus rhizome . This technique can improve growth rates and make eccentric grafted cactus specimens .
