Description
Astrophytum Ornatum goes by the common name "Monk's Hood". It is a cylindrical to columnar cactus that is star-shaped from above & has white bands of woolly scales. It is also known as the Bishop's Cap. The plant has its origin in Mexico & belongs to the family of Cactaceae. Astrophytum Ornatum comes with a dormancy of winters & goes from about 12 to 18 inches in height. Growth Rate Astrophytum Ornatum is a slow-growing plant & the major factor that determines its growth rate is the local climate conditions of the environment. Flowering From pale pink to purple colored flowers, Astrophytum Ornatum best blooms in the summer season. An added advantage is that these flowers are scented. Watering & Feeding The plant needs moderate watering in summers & no watering at all in winters. Astrophytum Ornatum does not require fertilization. To give the soil a boost, it can be fed once during the growing season. Soil Astrophytum Ornatum should be planted in porous & fast-draining soil. Provision of good drainage with an open, sandy gritty cactus compost is ideal. Hardiness The plant grows best in winters, keeping in mind its frost tolerance of -4o C (24.8o F). It belongs to the hardiness zone of 9 to 10B. Light This plant needs direct sunlight & full sun exposure for them to grow in the best manner. At least 5 hours of direct sun daily is ideal. Propagation Astrophytum Ornatum can easily be propagated through its fragile seeds. Sowing the seeds in well-drained sandy soils anytime during the winter season is ideal. Astrophytum Ornatum "Monk's Hood" although large, is still a delicate & rare succulent that is ideal & sought after for decades now. With the right effort & dedication, they are the best bloomers & one of those plants that are pleasing to the eye. Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com & cactus-art.biz Monk's Hood - Astrophytum Ornatum
