Care of the cacti Astrophytum asterias or Sand Dollar Cactus |
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The genus Astrophytum, family Cactaceae, comprises 6 species of cactus native to Mexico and Texas. The species are: Astrophytum asterias, Astrophytum myriostigma, Astrophytum ornatum, Astrophytum senile, Astrophytum capricorne, Astrophytum coahuilense. Common names: Sand Dollar Cactus, Sea Urchin cactus, Star cactus, Star peyote. This species is native to Nuevo León and Tamaulipas in Mexico and Texas in USA. They are small globular cacti with very slow growth that reach 15 cm (5.9") in diameter and 5 cm (1.9") in height. They are grayish green with small white spots. They usually have 8 slits that divide the cactus into rounded ribs where the white and woolly areolas that do not have spines appear. The flowers are yellow, arise at the top of the plant and can reach 6 cm (2.36") in diameter. They bloom from spring to early fall; young specimens 2 cm (0.78") in diameter are able to flower. Due to their small size they are usually grown in pots. Astrophytum asterias can be grown in full sun exposure but prefers light shade. The winter safety temperature is 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 50% coarse sand, 25% garden substrate and 25% leaf or peat mulch. They are very resistant to drought; Water moderately, waiting for the soil to dry. In the middle of autumn the irrigations are eliminated. They do not need fertilization or pruning. They are sensitive to excess moisture that rots the plant. They propagate easily from seeds sown in spring on a sandy substrate; they can germinate a few days after planting. |
Images of the cacti Astrophytum asterias or Sand Dollar Cactus |
 Astrophytum asterias  Astrophytum asterias |