Parodia aureispinais not take as aspeciesand is treated as a form of the extremely variableParodia microsperma .

Parodia aureispinaBackeb .

Parodia microsperma(F.A.C.Weber ) Speg .

Parodia aureispina

In cultivation, Rimini, Italy. Photo by Cesare Brancaleoni. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Golden Tom Thumb

Parodia microspermasubsp.aureispina

Family : CactaceaeSubfamily : CactoideaeTribe : NotocacteaeGenus : Parodia

Parodia aureispina

In cultivation, Rimini, Italy. Photo by Cesare Brancaleoni. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

The specific epithet " aureispina(pronounced awr - ee - is - PIN - uh ) " think of " have golden spines " and refer to the golden - yellow central thorn .

Parodia aureispinais aboriginal toArgentina . It grow on a vertical drop between 3,610 to 3,940 feet ( 1,100 to 1,200 m ) above sea grade near the railway bridge over theMojotoro Riverin the province of Salta .

Parodia aureispina , also roll in the hay asParodia microspermasubsp.aureispina , is a smallcactuswith spherical , green to slightly bluish base with 13 to 21 spiraling ribs divided into conicaltubercles . The stems can grow up to 4.8 inches ( 12 centimeter ) grandiloquent and 4 inches ( 10 cm ) in diameter . As the industrial plant ages , it producesoffsetsat the Qaeda , form a denseclump . The spines occur in clustering within the woolyareolesat the tip of the tuberosity . Each areole hold 20 to 25 fine , white radial spikelet and 4 golden - yellow central spines . The downhearted central acantha is hooked , has a abstemious brown point , and can assess up to 0.6 column inch ( 1.5 cm ) long .

Parodia aureispina

In cultivation, Rimini, Italy. Photo by Cesare Brancaleoni. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

During the summertime , beautiful funnel - shaped flowers with gold - yellow to orange - yellowed tepal and a brusk thermionic vacuum tube cover with white to brownish wool and brown bristle appear at the top of the stem . The bloom can contact up to 2 inches ( 5 atomic number 96 ) in diameter . The fruits are subspherical with basaldehiscenceand hold in midget , light brown seeds . They can grow up to 0.2 in ( 0.5 atomic number 96 ) in diameter .

lighter : Parodia aureispinacan generally handle verbatim Sunday in the cockcrow and afternoon , but it prefers fond tincture during midday . So , set the plant life outdoors anywhere it can get bright , collateral sunlight . When growing indoors , choose a sunny windowsill and rotate the pot every two weeks to encourage balanced growing . However , move it outdoors in the saltation , if potential .

territory : Soil with good drain is crucial for a healthy plant life . Therefore , use commercial-grade grime for cacti ormake your own well - draining mixwith mineral sand , such as coarse sand , perlite , or pumice stone .

Parodia aureispina

In cultivation, Rimini, Italy. Photo by Cesare Brancaleoni. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

Hardiness : This cactus thrives in warm , desert - like conditions but will not survive a voiceless freeze . So , if there is a jeopardy of freezing temperature , it is honorable to implant it in a container that can be brought indoors . Parodia aureispinagrows best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones9b to 11b , with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 ° atomic number 9 ( -3.9 to 10 ° C ) .

lachrymation : During the growing time of year , water profoundly , but take into account the land to dry out to the touch between watering . When it goes dormant during the wintertime , the plant needs much less water than common . Therefore , pee meagrely .

fertilise : While not necessary , Parodia aureispinawill answer well to a low - balanced soluble fertiliser diluted to half the recommended strength . However , debar feast in wintertime .

Repotting : If you grow this cactus in a container , repot as ask from spring to early summer . However , ascertain the ground is ironic before you start , and always pot it in a container with drainage holes .

Propagation : Since it rarely produces offsets , Parodia aureispinais ordinarily propagate by seeds . For best results , sow the seeds in spring .

See more atHow to Grow and deal for Parodia .

Parodia aureispinais non - toxic to humanity or animals .

press a photo to see a larger version .

Did you discover this helpful ? portion out it with other succulent lovers !