Parodia magnifica
Magnificent golden ball cactus
Also known as Notocactus magnifica, Eriocactus magnificus
- Height × spread
- 0.3m × 0.15m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is coloured a deep blue-green coloration to its ridged flesh with deep ridges that are white spinned on their edges with golden-yellow long spines at the ridge centre, most noticeable on younger forms. Over time it makes an elongated barrel shape. There are delicious fresh yellow semi-double blooms, borne at the top of the bloom with curved and creamy stamens at their heart. This needs a minimum temperature of 10-15C. The cactus makes babies round its base as well as growing out from its side.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green, White
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Round
- Height
- 0.3m
- Spread
- 0.15m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 10C minimum temperature
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, leaves & stems are prickly/thorny
AutumnNow
Autumn-Winter · Indoors
Keep dry during dormancy
Keep dry during the period of dormancy or resting, which is likely to be from the middle of the autumn until spring.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Use a houseplant fertiliser that has low nitrogen content. Apply this several times while the plant is in active growth, reduce feeding and then stop feeding when the plant begins to fade, or winter starts.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water when compost is dry
Allow the compost to become virtually dry before watering while in growth.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
10C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 10 Centigrade.
Compost · Planting
Cactus compost for repotting
Use standard cactus compost. Top the soil with grit or granite chips to ensure perfect drainage around plant stem. Repot when the plant is dry and delay watering for 3 days after repotting.
You can also make own compost using 3 parts John Innes no. 2, 1 part horticultural grit, and 1 part horticultural grade perlite or pumice. There are many 'recipes' available and opinions vary widely - consult specialist literature or websites.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, eg windowsill
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible. It is suitable for sunny windowsills as it can cope with high day temperatures and lower night temperatures.