Astrophytum ornatum
Monks Hood, Star cactus
Also known as Echinocactus ornatum
- Height × spread
- 1m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A handsome cactus that can be rounded or cylindrical. It has dark green flesh and deep ribs, around eight as a rule, and they often twist so the plant has an intriguing spiral effect. The spines are yellow when young, aging to brown. It has good sized shiny yellow flowers.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Height in 10 years
- 0.2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 0.1m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Frost free greenhouse 1C & above (RHS H2)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 2C minimum temperature
- 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.
Autumn-Winter · Outdoors
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 · Indoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Occasionally while the plant is in growth, apply a specialist cactus feed that is low in nitrogen.
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.
Spring · Outdoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Occasionally while the plant is in growth, apply a specialist cactus feed that is low in nitrogen.
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 · Outdoors
Water when compost is dry
Allow the compost to become virtually dry before watering while in growth.
Planting & general
Indoor temperature · Planting
2C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 2 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.