Gymnocalycium lukasikii

Gymnocalycium lukasikiiGymnocalycium lukasikii is a small species that has brownish grey stems with large protruding areoles and creamy white flowers. The spines are brownish thin but firm, directed sideward and downward. Habit: It is a small cactus barely rising above ground level, usually solitary in habitat, but often branching basally in cultivation and forming clusters. Cultivation and Propagation: It is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate. Growth rate:

Gymnocalycium lukasikii is a small species that has brownish-grey stems with large protruding areoles and creamy-white flowers. The spines are brownish thin but firm, directed sideward and downward.
Habit: It is a small cactus barely rising above ground level, usually solitary in habitat, but often branching basally in cultivation and forming clusters.

Cultivation and Propagation: It is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing and easily flowering species that will make clumps given the best conditions.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil. pH neutral or acidic, avoid substrata rich in limestone.
Repotting: Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Hardiness: Reputedly somewhat resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -5 C ° C, or less for short periods).
Exposition: Outside bright but filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.
Rot: Rot it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.