Gymnocalycium mihanovichii Cactus

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii Description: The plant is considered to be a miniature cactus. It only grows to be 4 cm high and has a 5-6 cm diameter. The not fully opening flowers of this species have a silky appearance and range from pale green to brownish-yellow. It has wider, lower ribs, in juvenile plants divided into separate chins, in maturity every rib have flat surface and a pleat above each areole.
Remaks: Gymnocalycium friedrichii and Gymnocalycium stenopleurum are sometimes combined with Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, and sometimes kept as separate species. G. friedrichii and G. stenopleurum are quite districted of from G. mihanovichii, but many intermediate forms are also known and nowadays it is suggested that all should be combined into only one variable species.

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii Cultivation and Propagation: Gymnocalycium mihanovichii is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing and easily flowering species.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil. Prefer a low pH compost, avoid substrata rich in limestone; otherwise growth will stop altogether.
Repotting: This plant needs plenty of space for its roots, repotting should be done every other year or when the it has outgrown its pot. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Hardiness: Quite frost resistant if kept dry -5° C (Temperature Zone USDA 9-10), but for safe cultivation it is best to avoid freezing temperatures.
Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.