Ariocarpus potting media for Australian conditions

Was interested to know what different growers use as a potting media and adjustments for local climatic conditions etc. for Ariocarpus spp. If people are keen to share their techniques?

I am currently trying a mix that I create, it consists of crushed blue slate, crushed terracotta, perlite & washed river sand (course, of course) in equal parts, I like to add a small amount of Gyprock as it provides slight a calcium/alkaline quality to the mix, I also like to add a type of red clay that I found in little clods, this is a very small proportion of the mix, and finally a bit of slow release fertiliser is always good, especially in a high mineral mix with added inert media (perlite) like I use.

The drainage seems pretty good, and the plants seems to be responding to it fairly well so far. I have also been using the same/similiar for a couple of Astrophytum spp. I have, namely A. asterias & A. asterias 'SUPERKABUTO' and these also seem to be responding well to the mix.

I should note that I live in a reasonably humid climate and a free draining high mineral, low organic mix is important to my cultivation of these types of cacti, also I experience quite cold winters and require the beet-like roots to remain dry during dormacy to prevent any sort of rot occuring.

Any thoughts? Comments?

I have recently been adding crushed brick to the above mix (hand crushed of course) also with the addition of a little charcoal & less of the red clay clods (the clods seem like a fairly decent additive I might say, though I wouldn't add too much to the mix)...

Joined : 04 Apr 2008 Posts : 17 Location : Melbourne

Hi Trig. I'm new to Ariocarpus, I've got 3 A.agavoides that I've raised from seed and they are only about a year old now. Basically I raised them using nothing more than your standard cactus medium bought at Bunnings, they are in an 8 inch teracota pot (unglassed) which sits inside a large humidifier with about 5 mm of water in the bottom, which all sits inside one of my hothouses, I realise this is probobly asking for trouble but they seem to be doing quite well in there. I'd give my hens teeth for some fissuratus but know all things will eventually come my way

Welcome Tula. Only just starting to grow them from seed. From what I have read they grow fine with humidity and regular potting mix for a year or two. It is when they take on a more mature appearance that they need to be introduced to a much courser mix with less organic matter added otherwise the area around the beet like root will tend to stay moist, or worse, wet which will inevitably lead to rot. I would watch your Ariocarpus over the cold months with the extra humidity, but plants of about a year really should be fine. Depends how cold it gets where you are.

I only have one A. agavoides, wouldn't mind a few more, they are not my favourite though. I think A. retusus would have to be one of my favourites along with A. fissuratus. I have a large specimen A. fissuratus that is around 30 years old and is pretty big. Will post pics when I get my camera happening.

I also have A. kotschoubeyanus, A. bravoanus var. hintonii and few others too. There is many more varieties and cultivars and sub species I intend to collect.

Not a cheap past time though. Seeds aern't even that cheap and take a long time to grow. They are still my favourite genera of cacti though.

P.S: I like your avatar Wink

Joined : 04 Apr 2008 Posts : 17 Location : Melbourne

My avatar? thats Matucana madisoniorum when it was in flower last autumn, I dont know if it is self pollinating but I gave it a good brushing last year and patiently waited as the flower shrivled up, then I took a look one morning and the old dear had removed the flower like she does with all the orchids when they've shrivled up so I have no idea if it would have set fruit. It has got a new flower bud on it now, hopefully this year I'll get something out of it.

I keep in touch with Vlado at Arizonaseeds, unfortunately he doesn't grow them, he only sells seed, he's a nice enough bloke and all and he has an awsome list of Ariocarpus in his catalogue but each time that I've asked for fisurratus he has always been out of stock. retusa?, love to see a pic.

I dont know if you own this site or if you do then how much it costs to run a site like this but was wondering if you had plans for a photo gallery, laid out the same way the forum categories go it could grow into a nice resource in time, although you might end up with a picture of every san pedro in oz too

I like M. madisoniorum, though I only have two. One is small & the other is a decent size. The larger one is a variety I think. It has small inwards cuved spines & is more globbose than the other one, it is really nice.

Hopefully you will get some seed. Mine have never flowered yet. So not sure about pollination etc.

A. fissuratus is one of the most popular species. I am sure if he had them they would sell out pretty quick. Have been meaning to try Vlado's seeds, haven't got around to it. Next season for sure.

I do own this site yes. It doesn't cost a fotune to run it, but a gold coin donation is always welcomed Wink

lol.
I have now added a gallery for members to view & upload their own images etc. I have not categorised it yet, I might do so if lots of people post nice images in there.

Check out this thread: http://forum.auscactiforum.net/site-feedback-f36/gallery-t15.htm

Joined : 04 Apr 2008 Posts : 17 Location : Melbourne

Yeah!!!! that A. fissuratus of yours is definitely a special little beastie cyclops

Thanks Tula, definitely one of my favourite specimens in the collection.

I was hoping to ressurect this thread and get a dicussion about Ario potting mixes going. Seems to be a few Ario heads here now (like me) and wanted to hear some different potting mixing and even how people are cultivating theirs.

Thanks.
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mmm spikey...

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yes please, I would also be interested in others variations.

I am afraid my arios get the same mix as my other cacti. Nothing special as very hard to get what I want here.

Chunky potting mix, coarse sand and some shell grit
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Betty

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