Cactus Parodia Leninghausii

I present you with one of the cacti that I would say I have an obsession with, whenever I go somewhere where they have this species, I can’t help but buy one, but sometimes I have to control myself while I think: you have many of these, you don’t need another! (This is the only way I have to not buy even more.) It is the Parodia Leninghausii, from the state of Rio Grande del Sur in Brazil. Its most popular common name is the golden ball. Also, in addition, it can be found as a yellow tower, because when it grows in a bush, it has a bush port with the stems grouped, straight and cylindrical.

The more it branches, the more its total size increases. This species is one of those that can best count and see the ribs and where the spikes come from. It has about thirty fairly deep longitudinal ribs. From each areola that is also fairly clear, four to five central spines and about twenty radial spines, yellow and it must be said that they are quite large, can be up to ten centimeters long. Although the body of the cactus is light green, yellow is mixed due to the large number of spikes scattered throughout its surface, which makes it considered more yellowish green than only single green.

Normally, it grows between sixty centimeters and the meter high if it is in the best conditions. It must be better in a semi-shadow area and in the central hours of the day, avoiding the hottest and most direct sun rays. If it receives too much insolation, we can cause burns in the body. Also doesn’t cold and even less frost. It is better not to expose it to temperatures below seven positive degrees. If it is very cold where you have it in winter, try to protect it either, if possible, by placing it inside your house or if it is not possible by covering it with some cover.

I personally have never seen any flowers, but from what I have seen on the Internet or from people who have seen flowers, they are intense yellow with a funnel shape. It makes small fruits that have no spikes.

Irrigation must be abundant in spring and summer (once a week in summer or once every fortnight both in spring and summer, depending on the heat it makes wherever it is available). In autumn, it can be irrigated once a month if the cold is not very severe, if temperatures in autumn are already below six degrees, stop irrigation until the following season. Always make sure the substrate is completely dry before irrigating again.

Finally, it doesn’t have many enemies, we just have to be alert to the hot summers because he can be attacked by the aphids and mealybugs.