Lobivia (Lobivia) is a genus of low-growing cacti, uniting up to hundreds of their varieties. Modern reference books consider it as part of the Echinopsis genus. The natural habitat of such cacti is the highlands of Bolivia, Argentina and Peru. It was from the name of Bolivia that the name of their genus originated: Carl Linnaeus, who first described these plants, chose anagrams as his name.
Lobivia look like typical cacti. Their stems range in color from emerald green to grayish. Small plants resemble a spiny ball, and with age, they stretch upwards symmetrically. Their ribs are both rounded and pointed. Twigs of lobivia are almost not released, but they form a lot of basal shoots. Under natural conditions, this distinctive feature allows such cacti to turn into impressive thorny cushions-colonies.
The flowering period is during the summer months and can last from late May to August. Lobivia flowers originate in the upper part of the plant, singly or in groups. Pedicels are usually covered with fluff or thorns. The color of the inflorescences is very diverse and sometimes it is able to combine several different shades. An adult cactus can bloom up to 25 flowers. They are funnel-shaped and have long stamens. Each of them will be able to please the eye no longer than 4 days. After flowering, small seed pods are formed.
Lobivia care at home
Being a real cactus, Lobivia is very unpretentious. Even a relatively inexperienced florist can take care of her. Due to the compact size of most species, even a large family of such cacti will not take up much space on the windowsill. But, like any plant, it has its own preferences.
Location and lighting
A native of sun-drenched mountain slopes, Lobivia prefers well-lit locations. She is not afraid even of bright direct rays. If the windows do not face south, it is better to use supplementary lighting by placing a cactus under a phytolamp. The intensive 100-watt lamps used in greenhouses are suitable for this type of plant. In room conditions, one piece will be enough.
Temperature
On the home windowsill, the cactus feels quite comfortable. The natural habitat has accustomed lobivia to significant temperature changes during the day. Thanks to this, she can calmly spend the warm season, even on the street. In apartment conditions in the summer, you can put the pot on the balcony. The cactus is able to withstand heat above 40 degrees. In dry land, it can survive even slight frosts. The main thing is to provide the flower pot with a dry place that will not be flooded with rain.
In winter, the cactus goes into hibernation. The preferred temperature during this period does not exceed 10-12 degrees. Thanks to such a wintering, then the lobivia will be able to bloom longer and more intensively.If you do not comply with this requirement, flowers can not be expected.
Watering
For watering, you need to use settled, soft water at room temperature. Even active growth is not a reason to flood lobivia. Excessive moisture can lead to stem and root rot. They are taken for watering when the soil in the pot is almost completely dry. During the flowering period, the plant may need a little more moisture, but then the watering rate is returned to the previous regime, gradually reducing the dose.
By the end of autumn, they completely stop watering the plant. Fleshy lobivia species hibernate in dry soil until spring. Others can be lightly watered no more than once a month. By March, when flower buds begin to form on the cactus, it can be watered again in the same mode. Mistakes and overdrying of the soil during this period can lead to dropping of the buds.
Humidity level
The optimum moisture level for lobivia is low. The cactus will also not refuse airing. If you want to clean the surface of the flower, it is better not to wash it, but to gently sweep away the dust with a small brush.
Soil and capacity
Due to the ability to form basal shoots, this cactus is more suitable for a short, but wide pot. A neutral or slightly acidified, but rather loose soil is poured into it, which allows both water and air to pass through well. In this case, you can add a handful of sand or fine gravel to the universal mixture for cacti. Drainage must be placed on the bottom of the pot.
You can prepare the soil yourself. To do this, mix leaf humus with gravel chips or sand, add turf and a little peat. You can also apply fertilizer in advance: up to 10 g of nitrophoska per 1 kg of soil.
Transplant rules
For a transplant, they are accepted only if the lobivia ceases to fit in the old pot. You can do this all year round, but the spring period is considered optimal. Do not bury the cactus too much in the ground. It is better if the root collar is located slightly above the soil level. Sometimes it is surrounded by a sand or gravel layer.
If a transplant is required for a cactus with rotten roots, they are carefully examined, removing the damaged ones. It is better to transfer healthy plants to a new place with a clod of earth. It is important that the plant should not be watered for several days before and after transplanting. The transplanted specimen should be protected from the sun for some time.
Top dressing
A successful feeding period lasts from spring to early autumn. Twice a month, lobivia is watered with cactus fertilizer. For small varieties, it is better to halve the usual dose. In order not to overmoisten the soil, top dressing is combined with watering. Excess nitrogen supplementation can adversely affect flowering. During the rest period, fertilizing is prohibited.
Lobivia breeding methods
It is most convenient to propagate the finished plant with the help of offshoots. They usually begin to form when lobivia is 3 years old. They are carefully separated from the main trunk with a sharp knife, and then dried in air for at least a day to allow the cut site to tighten. After that, the shoots are planted in the soil with a predominance of sand. After the baby takes root, it is transplanted into the desired pot. This usually takes up to 2 to 6 weeks.
The second way of reproduction is the acquisition of seeds. They are planted according to the instructions on the pack. Most often, planting is taken in the spring. To prevent the seeds from eroding, it is better to moisten the soil with a spray bottle. There is also a grafting method of reproduction, but it requires more care and experience.
Pests and diseases
The main risk of lobivia disease is the appearance of root rot during overflow. It can be treated with specialized means, but the first step is to remove the affected areas and establish a watering regime.
If harmful insects settle on a cactus - scale insects, aphids, etc. - it is treated with the necessary insecticide or biological product.
Popular types of lobivia with photos
Lobivia arachnacantha
A miniature dwarf variety of cactus, reaching only 4 cm in height.It usually has at least a dozen smooth ribs, densely covered with thorns adjacent to the stem. The size of the flowers of this species is several times larger than the size of the stem. Most often they are bright yellow, but they can also be red.
Gold lobivia (Lobivia aurea)
A large variety up to 50 cm in height. With this growth, the stem remains quite slender and does not exceed 12 cm in diameter. The ribs of the golden lobivia are more pronounced, and their edges are pointed. The spines are of different sizes: on each areola there are several thick and large ones, as well as a group of smaller ones. The size of the flowers reaches 10 cm, the most common color is lemon, with a brighter center. There are varieties with white, red or pinkish flowers.
Lobivia Tigeliana
The dimensions of Crucible's lobivia are 10 cm in height and slightly less in diameter. The ribs are wide and squat. This type of cactus forms many babies. Bunches of spines on areoles consist of 1-3 central and groups of radial, thin and slightly shorter ones. The flowers are red or purple, about 4 cm in size.
Lobivia famatimensis
The species is easily recognizable by a much larger number of ribs: one cactus may have about 24 of them. Unlike other lobivia, small spines of the Famatima are almost invisible and look more like a fluff - they are so tightly pressed to the stem. The yellow flowers have a densely drooping stem. Their average size is 6 cm.
Lobivia jajoiana
A small cactus with a spherical stem up to 10 cm in diameter. The ribs are narrow and tightly compressed. The largest spines on the tubercles reach 0.7 cm. Interest in this type of lobivia is nourished because of its impressive colors, yellow or deep red. Thanks to the purple center and the white shade of the stamens, they look very impressive.
