Parodia microsperma Mixed Forms - 20 Seed Pack - Verified Seller - Exotic Succulent Cactus - NEW

Parodia is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae. The genus is named after the Argentine botanist Lorenzo Raimundo Parodi who lived from 1895 to 1966. Flowers in all species arise from fuzzy buds, typically with bristles, at the apex. Flowers are cup-shaped and point straight up. They are easy to grow, have intriguing stems and spines and flower easily with brightly-coloured flowers. This fact in combination with their relatively small size, ensure that nearly all cactus growers will have some representative of this group. While advanced hobbyists may grow many of the various species and subspecies.

The genus has about 50 species, many of which have been transferred from Eriocactus, Notocactus and Wigginsia. They are native to the uplands of Argentina, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay and range from small globose plants to 1 meter tall columnar cacti. All are deeply ribbed and spiny, with single flowers at or near the crown.

Some species produce offsets at the base and most are free flowering, with stunning blooms throughout the year. These cacti are perfect for rockeries, where they will give your garden splashes of colour or as pot plants on a sunny windowsill. Either way you are assured of many years of joy.

Parodia microsperma is an interesting species. Within the species there are numerous varieties and forms present. Size, colour, flower and spines characteristic can vary considerably from one plant to the next. As the species name “microsperma” suggests, the one commonality amongst all the different forms and varieties is that they all have very tiny seeds that are about 0.4mm long. Parodia microsperma needs regular water in summer but keep it rather dry in winter as it tends to lose its roots in winter if kept wet and cold. It can tolerate light frost at -1°C and if kept dry at -9°C.