Care of the cacti Copiapoa grandiflora or Large-flowered Copiapoa |
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The genus Copiapoa, family Cactaceae, comprises 25 species of cactus native to northern Chile. Some species are: Copiapoa grandiflora, Copiapoa echinoides, Copiapoa cinerea, Copiapoa calderana, Copiapoa malletiana, Copiapoa haseltoniana, Copiapoa humilis, Copiapoa coquimbana, Copiapoa taltalensis, Copiapoa krainziana, Copiapoa marginata. Common name: Large-flowered Copiapoa. This species is native to Chile. They are dark green cacti with a globular-cylindrical body that reach 13 cm (5.11") in height and can form groups of 50 cm (19.68") in diameter. They have 10 to 15 rounded ribs with woolly areolas when they sprout. The radial spines (7-10) are up to 3 cm (1.18") long and are dark (then turn gray). They have 1-2 longer central spines. The flowers are yellow, measure about 3 cm (1.18") in diameter and appear at the apex of the cactus. When they are young they are used in pots; when they form groups they are used in rockeries and gardens of cacti and succulents. Copiapoa grandiflora needs exposure to full sun or light shade when young. In winter it must be kept at a temperature above 4 ºC (39.2 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 20% coarse sand. They transplant if the pot is too small. They are very resistant to drought so they will only be watered in spring and summer (occasionally in autumn) waiting for the soil to have dried well. Fertilize once in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti. They do not need pruning. The biggest enemy of these plants is excess moisture that rots tissues. They propagate by seeds sown in spring but it's a slow process. |
Images of the cacti Copiapoa grandiflora or Large-flowered Copiapoa |
 Copiapoa grandiflora  Copiapoa grandiflora |