Echinopsis bonnieae f. aurata Photo by: Prof. Ilham Alakbarov
: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
:
: Echinopsis bonnieaeSN|26109]]SN|15820]] (Lobivia famatimensis var. bonniaeSN|3315]]SN|15818]]) is a small solitary or branched, columnar geophytic cactus. It is related to Lobivia famatimensisSN|15818]]SN|3315]], but clearly distinguished from it by the narrow neck that separates the large tuberous roots from the stem and for the tall cylindrical stem.
Forma aurea (yellow form): The schizochromic form (Echinopsis bonnieae f. aurataSN|15820]]SN|26109]]) has pale yellow stems due to the absence (or reduced production) of chlorophyll pigments: every other pigment is present at normal levels, the dominant green colouration is lost, but will still more than likely have normal other pigments that give the yellow overall appearance of the stem. This form with yellow stems is very attractive and highly prized. This schizochromic form is almost always seen grafted on stronger columnar species, and cannot can be grown on its own roots. However some clones have enough chlorophyll in their tissues and can be grown on they own roots too, but very slow growing.
Stem: Thin, cylindrical, yellow, usually not branched, with a constant diameter. 10(-40) cm in height, diameter 1,5-2,5cm. The apex is depressed.
Areoles : On small tubercles, arranged in about 30 spiral lines whit short white hairs.
Spines: About 10, pectinate pink-brown that turn grey, 1-1,5mm long.
Roots: Tuberous, 10-15cm long, up to 5-15 mm in diameter.
Flower: Diurnal, silver-yellow, shining, outer tepals are bronze, diameter and height: 2,5 (-4) cm. Stigma yellow with red stylus.
Blooming time: May.
: Major references and further lectures
1) Stuart Max Walters “The European garden flora. 3.[Angiospermae], Dicotyledons. [Casuarinaceae to Aristolochiaceae]” Cambridge University Press, 1989
2) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
3) Roberto Kiesling, D.J. Fergusom & O. Ferrari "The first geophytic Lobivia (Cactaceae)" cact. Succ. J.(USA) 73:4 Jul-Aug. 2001 http://www.ibiologia.unam.mx/slccs/www/material_bib/k/1_Kiesling.pdf retrived on 16-Jun-2013
4) 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
5) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
: Variegated and albinous cacti are regarded as choice and difficult in cultivation, but despite that many of them are relatively easy to grow. But be aware that they cannot tolerate prolonged exposure to direct sun light (especially during the hottest summer days), so grow them in half-shade or under filtered sun. They are sometime seen as grafted plants, but many grow well on their own roots, too.
On the contrary, the albinos can survive only if grafted on a strong green base.
Use mineral well-permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus). Water sparingly from March till October and keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (In general these plants are more tender and cannot endure freezing temperatures ) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!
Propagation: Usually by seed. Plants are often grafted onto column-shaped cacti.
Echinopsis bonnieae (Halda, Hogan & Janeba) Halda & Malina: it is related to Echinopsis famatimensis, but distinguished from it by the narrow neck that separates the tuberous roots from the stem an for the tall cylindrical stem.
