Accepted Scientific Name: Rebutia fidaiana (Backeb.) D.R.Hunt
Bradleya 5: 94 (1987)
Rebutia fidaiana var. westii Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: South of Bolivia departments of Chuquisaca and Potosi
Altitude: 3000 to 3950 meters.
Tipe locality: Cuchu Ingenic, 25 miles south of Potosi.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Rebutia fidaiana
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Rebutia fidaiana (Backeb.) D.R.HuntBradleya 5: 94 (1987)Synonymy: 18
Accepted name in llifle Database:Rebutia fidaiana subs. cintiensis (Cárdenas) D.R.HuntCactaceae Consensus Init. 4: 7. 1997 [Oct 1997]Synonymy: 4
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Description: Weingartia westiiSN|14935]]SN|14935]] is a very spiny and usually simple cactus.
Stem: About 10 to 20 cm tall, 6 to 20 cm in diameter, spherical to short-columnar, yellowish-green, grey-green or purple tinged and connected though a thin neck to the strong tuberous root.
Ribs: Completely divided into round spiralling tubercles.
Areole: Large, felted and somewhat raised.
Spines: Very dense, acicular, spreading, thin, elastic, interlacing and almost completely covering the stem, not easily distinguishable as centrals and radials creamy-grey, straw-coloured to brownish..
Central pines: 3-4, up to 6 cm long.
Radial spines: 7-9 similar to the central up to 4 cm long.
Flowers: One per areole nearly apical, approx 4- 5 cm tall 3,5-4,5 cm in diameter, narrow funnel-shaped with short tube, tepals yellow (occasionally white) with a neat staminal throat ring.
Blooming season: Spring to early summer and remain open for five or six days.
Fruit: Small, spherical-ovoidal or tear-drop-shaped, olive green to tannish-brown, thin-skinned at maturity, dehiscing basally or on the side, with few seeds.
Seed: Cap-shaped, nearly as broad as long, black, finely areolate-papillale.
More...Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
2) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
3) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
4) Augustin K.: "Weingartia: history, description and reclassification." Cactus & Co. 7. (2): 91-126, 2003
5) Ritter Fr.: "Kakteen in Südamerika" Spangenberg, 1980
6) Anderson E. F.: "The Cactus Family" Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, 2001
7) Urs Eggli, Leonard E. Newton: "Etymological Dictionary of Succulent Plant Names" Springer, Berlin/Heidelberg 2010
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Rebutia fidaiana var. westii Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
New spines at the end of winter-early spring. Photo by: Valentino VallicelliCultivation and Propagation: Full sun to light shade, Water regularly in summer but do not overwater. Keep dry or slightly moist in winter at a minimum temperature of 5°C (But Hardy to -4°C or less). This mountain cactus - because of the elongated fat taproot - necessitate deep pots and a well drained mineral potting mix. It is better that they are repotted regularly. Repotting will increase size of stems and the number of flowers produced. Repot yearly until reaching about 100 mm in size, then every two or three years will suffice. Repotting is best done at the end of winter but can be done at other times. Do not water for a couple of weeks after repotting to reduce risk of root rot via broken roots. Need a sufficient amount of air.
Pest & diseases: Keep their roots free of mealy bugs, as fungal attack often occurs as a result of damage to stems by insects. A layer of grit on the surface of the compost prevents moisture from accumulating around the base of the stems and minimise the chance of fungal attack on the roots.
Propagation: Usually by seeds, but also offsets (seldom available), and grafting . Grafted plants in culture are most common and sprout easily. But it is also feasible to root them but they grow much slower on their own roots and takes various years prior to they bloom.
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