Care of the cactus Eriosyce napina or Neoporteria napina |
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The genus Eriosyce, family Cactaceae, includes 35 species of cactus native to Chile, Peru, and Argentina. Some species are: Eriosyce napina, Eriosyce esmeraldana, Eriosyce crispa, Eriosyce taltalensis, Eriosyce curvispina, Eriosyce paucicostata, Eriosyce senilis. Scientific synonyms: Neochilenia napina, Neoporteria napina. This species is native to Atacama, Chile. They are small cacti with napiform roots, greyish green in color and a globular body in its youth that becomes cylindrical and reaches 10 cm (3.93") in height. The tubercled ribs have woolly areoles with 3-4 very short spines. The flowers appear at the apex and can be pink, yellow or orange. They are used in deep pots due to their thick roots. Indoors they need good ventilation to avoid the accumulation of humidity. Eriosyce napina needs full sun or well-lit exposure (indoors) and a dry, hot climate. In winter the temperature should not be less than 4 ºC (39.2 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 25% coarse siliceous sand. In case of transplantation, the delicate ones must be watched. Water every 10 days in summer, every 20 days in spring, every 30 days in autumn and do not water in winter. They do not need fertilizers or pruning. They are plants resistant to pests and diseases if there is not excess watering and the ventilation is correct. They propagate by seeds sown in spring in the nursery; it's a simple but slow process. |
Images of the cactus Eriosyce napina or Neoporteria napina |
 Eriosyce napina ssp. glabrescens  Eriosyce napina ssp. glabrescens  Eriosyce napina ssp. glabrescens |