Propagation
Surface sow fresh seed from spring to summer in pots and cover them finely with quartz grit, then moisten. Lay piece of glass over the pot and maintain a temperature of 10ş to 20ş C. (50ş to 68ş F).

Remove glass after germination, and then prick out when large enough to handle and pot up.


Botanic information
Leaf: There are 11-15 straight ribs that are deeply grooved between and the white woolly areoles are arranged closely along the apex. Each areole has 6-7 yellow radial spines up to 40 mm (1? in) long and one or no central spine.

Flower: The lemon yellow flowers are funnelform to campanulate with oblong to lanceolate silky tepals that are fringed along the margins. They have a yellow stamens and stigma with 12-15 lobes.

The flowers may not appear on the plant until it matures and then open for several days, normally appear towards the top centre of the plant at the side of young areoles consecutively from spring to summer.

Fruit: The persistent oblong white berry is indehiscent or opens from a basal pore and has a fleshy exocarp with flower remnants attached. The small black soft seeds are pitted and are viable but the plant may be reproduced vegetatively.


General information
Outdoor Cultivation
In warm regions with low humidity, cold and frosty night`s cacti and succulents grow well outdoors. The more humid atmosphere will limit the number of successful species. All of these plants require a very well drained soil andample sunlightto succeed. Once established these plants require minimal maintenance.

Indoor Cultivation
Cacti and succulents grow well in glasshouses or near a sunny window with some ventilation tolerating a marked difference in day and night temperatures.
Cacti have a rest period during mid winter when they can be stored in a cooler area with reduced watering, once every two months. Protect the plants from freezing temperatures or extreme direct hot sunlight behind glass. All plants prefer a period outdoors during summer.

Watering
These plants normally have wet and dry periods. Watering should take place during the growing period of the plant. When new growth appears water well once a week and never water if the soil is already wet or place the pot in a saucer of water. Free drainage is essential for a healthy plant and succulents rot easily in moist humid conditions.

Problems related to watering.
Overwatering succulents results in leaves that wilt and discolour or stems that rot.
Under-watering results in a sudden loss of leaves or brown and dry spots on the leaves. Leaves also fall if the water is too cold.

Pots
Both clay and plastic pots are suitable. The pot should fit the plant comfortably and not be too big as it may remain moist, rotting the plant. Water only when the soil has dried.
Re-pot only when necessary in to a slightly larger pot for older plants. If the plants are very large replenish the surface soil and thoroughly water.

Desert cactusthat are woolly or spiny use a potting mix of equal parts of sterilised loam, shredded sphagnum peat and gritty washed sand with the addition of one part limestone gravel all chips to assist in strong spine formation. (Never use powdered lime or chalk)