Lobivia

Family: Cactaceae. Native range - Bolivia, Peru, Argentina.

More than 80 species are known. Small plants with sparse spines on a bluish or grayish stem of spherical or cylindrical shape. Produces basal offsets. Blooms in spring or early summer. Often the same Lobivia species may have flowers of different colors - yellow, red and their various shades. With artificial pollination it forms seeds.

Placement: Plants require fresh clean air and plenty of light. They are grown on a south- or southwest-facing windowsill. For the winter period plants are placed in a dry room with a temperature not lower than 10° C.

Care: In summer watering should be moderate; in winter Lobivia is not watered. In summer the plant is fed once a month with fertilizers for flowering plants.

Pests and diseases: Main pests - aphids, red spider mite. Due to excessive moisture of the soil, root rot may develop.

Propagation: possible by seeds and basal offsets.