CoronaCactus Nursery - Plant of The Month

Form: Eriosyce occulta is a small globose to flattened cactus. Dark brown to dark purple almost black body (sometimes all green or with green tones) with short black/tan/grey/white spines. Spine count and length can vary, not all areoles have them. This is rather variable specie and cultivation conditions can change its appearance from its habitat brethren. Mostly a solitary plant, but with age, as with cultivation conditions, it can slowly offset.

Its habitat is Northern Chile near the city of Taltal, Antofagasta. It grows at or just below ground level, usually covered in a light layer of dust blown by the wind. Often very difficult to spot unless it�s in bloom. They grow like this to protect themselves from being eaten by the local fauna, mainly Guanaco�s. They will also suck down below the soil in times of stress �drought or heat. They have a large taproot that stores its water preserves in order to survive long periods of no rain, while it gets a regular daily mist from the rolling ocean fog, -Camanchaca.

Size: Typically growing to around 2� in diameter with a slight sunken apex and flattened globose shape. The tubercles are rather jagged and somewhat pointed. This is a plant that can probably remain in a (deep) 4� sized pot for its lifetime.

Flowers/Fruit: The flowers of Eriosyce occulta are as variable in color as the body can be. However generally they are a light white/pink or a peach/yellow with darker mid-tones. They are quite large compared to the plant, opening to the same diameter as the plant itself, or larger! Very showy and classy flowers with a silky sheen. They grow from new areoles near the apex and are covered in white wool. The fruit are also wooly and ripen to a bright red.

Sun/Water: Eriosyce occulta can take full sun with maybe a little shade protection in the Southwest USA. Water normally during the spring/summer and leave dry in fall and winter. Do not overwater, as they are susceptible rot if too moist. Make sure the soil dry�s completely between waterings. Needs really well draining soil.

Propagation: Seed. These plants rarely offset. Seeds are readily available from reputable online vendors.

Books/Websites: Some excellent information can be found at Chilean Cacti in Habitat. More websites can be found on our Reference Links page.

Fat and plump before entering winter dormancy.

Almost level with the soil during winter dormancy.

Light and Dark tones of peach/apricot with a very light mid-stripe but with dark copper outer petals.

Fruit at ~30 days old. Will ripen to a bright red.

Light and Dark tones of peach/apricot but with green outer petals.

The plant can remain somewhat flattened if given limited water.

Emerging bud (late June 2009) This particular clone has a nice green bud and in turn, green outer flower petals.

Light and Dark tones of peach/apricot with a strong mid-stripe but with green outer petals.

Emerging bud (late June 2008) Some clones show a rusty copper red color in the spring when starting to bud.

This photo shows how the body color is changing from the rusty copper red back to the dark brown.

Emerging bud (late June 2008) Some clones show a rusty copper red color in the spring when starting to bud. Probably due to the plant adjusting to the suns gaining intensity.

Long and consistent spines with a bit more white/grey color.