Frailea Asteroides
Frailea Asteroides

Frailea Asteroides

$15.99
Title

Frailea Asteroides is a tiny, flattened to globular cactus with a distinctive dark green, reddish-brown, or chocolate-coloured body and subtle ribs. Short, fine spines lie close to the surface, giving the plant a delicate appearance. It may produce surprisingly large yellow flowers relative to its small size, although its flowers often remain closed because the plant can self-pollinate without opening them.
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Details & Plant Care

Difficulty:

Moderate

Water:

NA

Humidity:

It prefers relatively dry conditions with good air circulation, particularly during its winter dormancy.

Pet Friendly:

Not generally considered toxic to cats or dogs, but its small spines can cause physical irritation if chewed.

Light:

Bright Direct Light

Plant Information

Common Names:

Frailea Asteroides, Frailea Cactus, Dwarf Frailea

Scientific Name:

Frailea Asteroides

Country Of Origin

Southern Brazil through northern Uruguay, where it occurs in rocky and stony habitats.

Growth Rate:

Slow

Soil Type:

A very well-draining, predominantly mineral cactus mix. Pumice, perlite, coarse sand, and fine gravel combined with a small amount of organic potting material provide the drainage needed to reduce the risk of root rot.

Fertilize:

NA

Remember to only fertilize during their active growing season.

Common Pests

Mealybugs

Mealybugs

What To Look For: White, cottony or waxy masses on stems, leaf axils, underside of leaves. Sticky honeydew, sooty mold growth, yellowing or dropping leaves.

How To Treat: Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to dab and remove visible bugs. Wash leaves and stems with gentle soapy water. In heavy infestations, consider removing very affected stems/leaves or, in the worst case, replacing the plant.

Scale Insects

Scale Insects

What To Look For: Small oval or round bumps on stems or leaves; they may look like part of the plant. Sticky residue/honeydew, sooty mold. Yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and decline in plant vigour.

How To Treat: Physically scrape or wipe off scale insects when you see them; use your fingernail or a soft brush. Use horticultural/plant-safe oils or insecticidal soap when the crawler stage is active. Re-inspect regularly because scale eggs and crawlers can hide under shells.

Spider Mites

Spider Mites

What To Look For: Very fine webbing under leaves or between stems and leaves (especially in dry indoor air). Leaves may appear stippled (tiny yellow or white dots) or dusty; they may turn yellow, brown or drop. When you tap a leaf onto white paper, you might see tiny moving specks. (Often too small to see easily)

How To Treat: Increase humidity around the plant (since mites thrive in dry air). Spray plant thoroughly (both sides of leaves) with insecticidal soap or a miticide/plant-safe oil; repeat every few days. In heavy infestations, consider removing severely affected sections; isolate the plant.

Fungus Gnats

Fungus Gnats

What To Look For: Small flies hover around the soil surface when you water or disturb the plant. Larvae in soil feeding on root hairs and organic matter may lead to poor growth or young plants dying. Usually in overly moist potting soil or with poor drainage.

How To Treat: Allow the soil surface to dry a bit between watering; reduce over-watering. Use yellow sticky traps to catch adult gnats. Consider repotting into a fresh, well-draining mix and removing excess topsoil debris; you can also use a layer of sand or diatomaceous earth on the soil surface.