Balloon cactus profile

Balloon Cactus, also called Parodia magnifica, is a kind of plant belonging to the genus Balloon in Conan of the Cactus. Balloon cactus is solitary in the first globular form, then cylindrically and gregarly, with blue-green epidermis, dense white hairs on the top, and edges of 11 ~ 15. The spines are dense, and the spines are 12-15, yellow-white hairy. The spines are 8 ~ 12, needle-like brown, and all the spines are only 0.5 ~ 0.8cm long.Funnel-shaped flowers 5cm in size, brimstone, stamens and pistils yellow.

Balloon cactus picture

Balloon cactus morphological characteristics

Balloon cactus (Parodia magnifica) is a perennial succulent, stem globular when young, gradually cylindric with age, 20cm in diameter, up to 5m in height, easy to grow in groups, blue-green, edges 11-15.Stem apex densely tomentose. The spines are dense, radiate spines 12-15, hairy, yellow-white, central spines 8-12, acicular, brown. The length of the two kinds of balloon cactus spines is about 0.5cm-0.8cm. The flowers are large, up to 5 -- 6cm in diameter, corolla funnel-shaped, light yellow. 

Balloon Cactus has two types: white hair and yellow hair, and the white hair is generally preferred.

Balloon cactus growth habit

Balloon Cactus (Parodia magnifica) likes warm, dry and sunny environments, resistant to drought and semi-shade, not resistant to water and moisture. Balloon Cactus brocade growth suitable temperature 18°C - 24°C, not cold resistance, winter temperature is not less than 5°C, short term can withstand 0°C low temperature. It is advisable to use fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam and a mixture of leaf rot soil, culture soil and coarse sand. Balloon Cactus is easy to grow, strong and fast to grow. Roots are developed, potted every spring to change pots, pruning roots. Balloon Cactus growing period to keep the soil moist, appropriate amount of fertilization. Keeping the soil dry in winter increases its resistance to cold. Balloon Cactus (Parodia magnifica) has a low demand for water. In the growing season, the pot soil is slightly wet, which is easy to rot for a long time. In winter, it stops watering, keeps the pot soil dry and avoids water. Growth period fertilization 2-3 times, to compound fertilizer and organic fertilizer, avoid partial application of nitrogen fertilizer, otherwise unproductive, living lines are not beautiful.

Balloon Cactus growing method

Soil

Growing Balloon Cactus (Parodia magnifica) should use loose and well-drained and breathable soil, which can be made up of leaf rot soil, culture soil and coarse sand.

Light

Give Balloon cactus (Parodia magnifica) plenty of light every day. It likes sunshine.If the daily exposure to light is too weak or too short, it will affect its growth and development.

The temperature

To give the Balloon cactus (Parodia magnifica) an 18-24℃ growing environment. It is not cold, it is best to keep the temperature above 5℃ in winter. Balloon cactus can withstand the temperature of 0℃ in a short period of time, but if it is kept in a low temperature environment for a long time, it will be frostbitten.

Balloon Cactus method of propagation

Cutting propagation of Balloon Cactus (Parodia magnifica) is generally carried out in spring and autumn, to cut down the baby ball next to the mother plant. After such dry cuttings into the sand bed, about 25-30 days will grow out of the root system.

Sowing propagation: Sowing should be carried out in spring, and give it a 20-24℃ germinating environment. It will sprout seven to fifteen days after sowing.

The main value of balloon cactus

Balloon Cactus (Parodia magnifica) plant body is blue green, yellow flowers colourful, robust growth, full of vitality. Balloon cactus is suitable for potted or warm ground planting ornamental.