Frailea castanea - 5 Seed Pack - Rare Exotic Cactus Succulent - Combined Global Shipping NEW

Frailea castanea Seeds

Rare Miniature Cactus

The genus Frailea is named after the Spaniard, Manuel Fraile who looked after the cacti collection of the US Department of Agriculture. Frailea species are all small solitary or clustering plants with flattened round bodies that rarely exceed 5cm in diameter. The plants have few to many very shallow ribs which may be straight or wavy. The spines are quite small and weak if present at all and pose little threat to the finger tips. The yellow flowers are often larger than the bodies and open in the heat of the day for a short time, if at all. Frailea species are cleistogamous, meaning that often times the flowers do not even emerge, but rather they self-pollinate while still inside the plant. Grow them in rich, porous soil and let them dry out between watering. These plants need a minimum temperature of 5-10°C; occasionally temperatures of a few degrees below 0°C are not dangerous. It enjoys full sun, and it can take on a near black appearance when kept in bright light. In a shaded position the plants grow faster, but are not flat shaped and dark coloured. Characteristically, during the dry season plants retract completely under the ground both in the wild and in cultivation too. Propagation is achieved with seeds or rarely by grafting. Frailea castanea is a rare and fascinating miniature cactus with a disk like, flattened to globose body. The stem is diminutive in size and many plants remain solitary, never outgrowing 4-5 cm diameter. The stems are chocolate brown or dark reddish-green with 8-15 flat ribs. Frailea castanea has 3-15 minute, short, black spider-like spines that are appressed on the plant body and usually all bent downward. Frailea castanea bears stunning sulphur yellow flowers that sometimes can be larger than the plant itself. But don't be disappointed when the easily produced buds fail to open. Fraileas are cleistogamous meaning that their flowers produce seed without even opening. Without the need for pollination the buds rarely reach full bloom and remain closed. They will open only in great heat in the hottest, brightest, afternoon sun, if at all. Luckily this rare species is pretty enough that one can forgive it for not always displaying its flowers.