Origin and Habitat: Rebutia neumannianaSN|18214]]SN|18214]] is known from a few localities in Northern Argentina (High above the town of Humahuaca to Iturbe, Salta) and southern Bolivia (Villazon to Berque, Potosi) whether the three known subpopulations are indeed isolated and/or whether there may be additional subpopulations between them. Furthermore, not much is known about the population size due to its cryptic appearance. . Rebutia neumannianaSN|18214]]SN|18214]] is the most southern species of the "Weingartia", the only one that grows in Argentina, the bulk of the genus being in Bolivia.
Altitude: 3300-4000 metres above sea level.
Habitat: It grows in the altiplano crammed in the rock gaps on flat hill tops and gentle slopes on outcrops of rock with vertical strata. This cactus is locally abundant, but it is quite cryptic.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Rebutia neumanniana
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Rebutia neumanniana (Backeb.) D.R.HuntBradleya 5: 94. 1987Synonymy: 10
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Description: Rebutia neumannianaSN|18214]]SN|18214]] best known as Weingartia neumannianaSN|18215]]SN|18215]] is the smaller and slower growing “Weingartia”, sometimes considered as a difficult to grow plant, but relatively easy and doesn’t mind a cold winter.
Habit. Plants solitary or sprouting from the roots with age. The small juvenile shoots that sprout around the mother plant from the roots are hidden most of the year by dust or leaves that cover them, and they do not have spines.
Root: It ha a swollen, often branched, tap-root.
Stems: Almost spherical, grey-green with velvety appearance, green in culture, constricted at at neck, 3-7 cm high and 1-5 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 6 to 10 (or up to 14 in culture), clearly divided into low, round-topped, indistinctly six-sided tubercles.
Areoles: Round, white about 1 cm apart.
Spines: Rigid, as long as the diameter of the plants, needle-like, yellowish, brownish or reddish black , often becoming black. Small stems spineless. Pericarpel and tube with scales but no hair or bristles (Like in the genus Gymnocalycium).
Central spine: 1(-3), straight, pointing upward, to 3 cm long.
Radial spines: 6-8, somewhat shorter, stiff, spreading, to 2 cm long. Staminal throat-circle present.
Flowers: Yellow to reddish orange, often with caramel streaks, bell-shaped, apical, almost central, up to 2,5 cm long and in diameter.
Fruits: Globose to ovoid, brownish.
Seeds: 1,5 x 1 mm dark brown to black.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Rebutia neumanniana group
Notes: The plants belonging to the Rebutia neumannianaSN|18214]]SN|18214]] group are characterized by a strong thickened rootstock with a narrowing (neck) in the zone that connects to the stem, and sometime new shoots are formed on the root-branches that emerge from the soil. This species was considered closely related to Gymnocalycium and Rebutia but neither of these placements is supported by DNA studies so it should still be called Weingartia neumannianaSN|18215]]SN|18215]].
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
3) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
4) Ritter Fr.: "Kakteen in Südamerika" Spangenberg, 1980
5) John Pilbeam "Sulcorebutia and Weingartia: A Collector's Guide" Timber Press, 1985
7) E Haustein “Der Kosmos Kakteenfuehrer (the Kosmos Cactus Guide)” Balogh Scientific Books 01 December 1998
8) Cullmann W., Götz E., Gröner G.”Kakteen: Kultur, Vermehrung und Pflege - Lexikon der Gattungen und Arten” Ulmer, Stuttgart, 1984
9) Curt Backeberg “Die Cactaceae: Handbuch der Kakteenkunde” Volume 3 G. Fischer, 1959
10) Werdermann, E. “Weingartia Werd.” Kakteenkunde(2):20-21 1937
Cultivation and Propagation: These plants come from mountainous areas, so like bright light, cool and dry conditions in the winter; this is important for the flowers as well as for their health. Without this cool winter period (0-10° C) they normally won't get many buds. They have a thick taproot and are of difficult cultivation and rot prone because of a great sensitivity to the excess of watering, not easy to get to any large size on their own roots really a challenge to grow into a large clump. They are commonly grafted to avoid root problems and to make easier to grow.
Sun Exposure: Suited for sunny-brightly exposure; can tolerate light shade.
Cultural Practices: Suited for airy exposures. Needs deep pot and good drainage to accommodate its tap root.
It is very cold resistant as low as to -10° C or less for short periods of time.
Pests & diseases: It is especially prone to root rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost. On a graft the plants are easier to grow, but the body splits if over-watered (especially in spring).
Propagation: Seeds, also can be grown from cutting or graft. Seeds can be sown in the spring or summer. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots.
Rebutia neumanniana var. kargliana (Rausch)
