Care of the cacti Coryphantha ottonis or Indian Head |
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The genus Coryphantha, family Cactaceae, includes 40 species of cactus native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Coryphantha ottonis, Coryphantha octacantha, Coryphantha maiz-tablasensis, Coryphantha macromeris, Coryphantha elephantides, Coryphantha durangensis, Coryphantha cornifera, Coryphantha compacta, Coryphantha andreae, Coryphantha sulcata, Coryphantha werdermannii, Coryphantha recurvata, Coryphantha pallida. Common name: Indian Head. This species is native to Central Mexico. They are greyish-green cacti with a solitary, globose or cylindrical body that can reach 12 cm (4.7") in height. In the large tubercles they have woolly axils and 9 radial spines 1-2 dark central spines. The showy flowers appear at the apex of the plant and can be yellow or pink. They are used in pots for balconies, windows, terraces or in very bright interiors. The Coryphantha ottonis needs direct sunlight or semi-shade exposure. They do not resist cold below 3 ºC (37.4 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 75% leaf mulch and 25% coarse siliceous sand. Water moderately at the rate of once every 15 days in spring, once a week in summer, every 20-25 in autumn and do not water in winter. Fertilize in spring with mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents. They do not need pruning. They are sensitive to excessive watering. Indoors they need good ventilation to avoid mealybugs. They propagate by seeds sown in the seedbed in spring. |
Images of the cacti Coryphantha ottonis or Indian Head |
 Coryphantha ottonis |