Айлостера

Family Cactaceae. Native range: Northern Argentina and Bolivia.

The genus includes about 10 species of succulent plants, distributed from southern Bolivia to northern Argentina. In indoor horticulture two species are cultivated.

In nature it grows at high altitudes, in cracks and hollows on mountain slopes, accustomed to strong daily temperature fluctuations; therefore indoors it requires good lighting and fresh air.

Айлостера prefers bright direct light without shading. The best illumination for cacti is obtained when grown outdoors on southeast and south balconies and windows; east and west exposures are somewhat less favorable. If the plant is kept on a north-facing window, it will lose its natural appearance due to insufficient light, become elongated and not bloom (artificial lighting is therefore necessary during the summer). If the number of light days was low during the autumn-winter period, then in spring, when placing the plant outdoors, it should be acclimatized gradually to direct sunlight to avoid sunburn.

During the summer Айлостера is kept at 25–35°C. It can be placed outdoors; if this is not possible, it is desirable to ventilate the room. In autumn the air temperature should be gradually lowered to provide Айлостера with a rest period. During dormancy Айлостера is kept in a cool, dry and bright room, optimal temperature 6–10°C. At higher temperatures the plants become elongated, produce numerous lateral shoots and bloom poorly. Maintaining the temperature regime in the autumn-winter period is very important, because warm air combined with lack of light prevents Айлостера from entering the rest period and can lead to deformation of the plant. Айлостера is watered regularly in summer as soon as the substrate in the pot dries out. Water for watering should be well-settled and preferably acidified with citric acid at a rate of 0.5 teaspoon per 7 liters of water. From mid-September to mid-May watering is stopped completely; only young plants less than 1 cm in diameter are watered. Watering is resumed when the daytime temperature is above +20°C.

The plant can be fed at the onset of the growing season once a month with fertilizers for cacti; during dormancy do not fertilize to avoid unwanted growth. Remember that in mineral fertilizers the nitrogen level should be lower than the other elements, since excess nitrogen can cause root rot; a normal ratio can be: nitrogen (N) - 9, phosphorus (P) - 18, potassium (K) - 24.

It is impossible to specify the exact time for repotting, as it depends on geographic location, annual climatic fluctuations, whether your collection is on a sheltered windowsill, in an outside greenhouse or in a conservatory, and even on the orientation of your window.

You should detect the moment when your specimens "fill out" and begin to grow. That will be the best time for repotting. Note that early-flowering species should be repotted after flowering.

Young plants are repotted annually only if necessary; mature plants every 3–4 years. Before repotting cacti the soil in the pot should be dry; they are repotted from dry soil into dry soil. Watering after repotting can be started only after 5–7 days; during this time it is better to place the cactus in a shaded spot.

Soil should be nutritious, water- and air-permeable. For example you can use the following mix: 1 part coarse river sand, 1 part peat, 3 parts leaf mold. Particle size up to 3–5 mm.

Айлостера is propagated by seeds and by rooting lateral shoots — "pups".

Seed propagation is rather troublesome but interesting. Seeds of Айлостера form without cross-pollination. Sow seeds in early March in a sterilized substrate consisting of leaf mold (fully decomposed), washed river sand and finely crushed charcoal in the proportion 1:1:1/2; good drainage is essential. Seeds are disinfected for 10 minutes in a weak potassium permanganate solution before sowing. Then the seeds are air-dried and sown. Maintain temperature within 15–20°C, mist continuously and ventilate. After the seeds germinate they are potted into containers appropriate to their size; the next repotting is done the following year. Only when a seedling reaches 2 years of age can it be cared for as an adult plant, but acclimatization to care conditions should be gradual. Young seedlings need good lighting, but direct sunlight should be avoided.

Rooting of lateral shoots is done from spring to mid-summer; this is the best time for rooting. After detaching a shoot let it dry for a day. After that root it in sterilized moist sand with bottom heat.

Light: bright; with cloudy overwintering acclimatize gradually to direct light.

Temperature: summer +20–35°C, autumn-winter +6–10°C.

Watering: summer - regular, winter (from mid-September to mid-May) - no watering.

Humidity: does not require misting.

Fertilization: once a month with fertilizers for cacti; no fertilization during the rest period.

Rest period: autumn–spring at 6–10°C; from mid-September to mid-May no watering (until the temperature is above 20°C).

Repotting: in spring; early-flowering species after flowering.

Propagation: in spring by seeds and by rooting lateral shoots — "pups", also by grafting.

Note: Seedlings of Айлостера flower in their 2nd–3rd year of life. With proper care they bloom abundantly. Do not allow water to stagnate in the pot during watering.