Copiapoa dealbata growing cactus of the genus Copiapoa, also known as Globular cactus, Copiapoa dealbata perennial evergreen used as ornamental plant, can grow in mediterranean, desert, subtropics, temperate climate or as houseplant and growing in hardiness zone 10b-12a and with the right care hardiness zone 12b.
Stem color green and can be: gray, white, sliver or brown, the stem round in globular shape, spines are black and big, the shape of this cactus similar to Sea urchins.
Requirements for Copiapoa dealbata growing and care:
Well drain soil, above 5C (41F)
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seeds / Vegetative Reproduction
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? Yes (for the colored plants need to graft on regular cactus)
Difficulties or problems when growing: Can’t grow without the base of the graft
Planting season: Spring to summer hardiness zone 10b, spring to autumn hardiness zone 11 and all year in hardiness zone 12
How to plant: Main problem it’s the spines get into the skin and it’s hard to get next to cactus, need to relocate the cactus with papers cover enough that the spines won’t get to your hands, to put the soil need to use spoon or small shovel to push and tighten the soil, also possible to do it by hand but don’t squeeze.
Pests and diseases: Snails, slugs
Pruning season: All year
How to prune:
No special requirements
Size of the plant: 1-15 cm (1-6 inches)
Growth speed in optimal condition: Slow growing
Water requirement: Small amount of water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Half Shade / Almost Full Shade with some sunlight
Is it possible to grow as houseplant? Yes
Growing is also possible in a pot / planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes, container or clay pot that will be 20-50% bigger (not need deep because the root shallow) for good drainage that important use in the bottom of the container with little rocks like: gravel, lava rocks or pebbles, soil should be cactus potting mix, make holes in the container for good drainage, need to switch the soil after few years, removing the cacti from their pots, take paper and put slowly the plant on the paper, possible to “help” the cactus with the hands better to cover with papers or plastic wrap, after that prepare again the “little rocks” in the bottom, put part of the cactus potting mix, take the plant with and locate it in the new place, if it’s small take the soil mix with spoon and organize it (not to get the spines in hands) if it’s bigger use small garden shovel and squeeze the soil that the cactus will be stable and won’t fall, sometimes when it’s not stable better to add some stick that will hold the cactus.
Blooming information
Bloom season: Spring / Summer
General information about the flower: Yellow multi-petals flowers in trumpet shape
How to grow from seeds
Sow in in half shade, better sandy soil or well ventilated soil like cactus potting mix and good drainage is important
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark place in room temperature
Sowing season: spring but possible in autumn and winter in hot climate, in summer put it in full shade, in hardiness zone 10n spring to summer, hardiness zone 11 spring to autumn, hardiness zone 12a all year
Planting spacing: 10-20cm, (4-8 inches)
Depth of Sowing: 0.5cm, (0.25inches)
Conditions for seeds germinate: Moist soil but do not over water and don’t let it dry
Watering requires for Seeds: Small amount of water, lightly moist soil and don’t let it dry
Germination time: 2-6 weeks
Condition of seedling: Half sun and don’t overwater
