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You ’ve in all probability seen plenty of Notocactus . These small clod or barrel - shaped plant are among the most democratic menage cacti .
Notocactusscopa label [ nee - oh - no - to - KAK - tus sko - puh ] , isone of the cactus plantstypically referred to by the vulgar name – ball cactus .

egg cacti is also sometimes call the “ silver ball cactus ” or merely the “ silvern ball . ”
The “ Silver Ball ” is native to South America ( Argentina , Bolivia , Peru , Brazil , Columbia , and Uruguay ) , and part of the genus notocactus .
The genus let in over 25 dissimilar coinage .

billet : In the 1980s the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study moved Notocactus into theParodia genus . The move is still with controversy today .
Some called Notocatus by the name Parodia cactus . Example : “ Notocactus leninghausii ” is also known as “ Parodia leninghausii . ”
These plants are soft to arise , especially when following the unsubdivided aid tips below .
Notocactus Growing And Care Instructions
Size & Growth
Like many of the hardy succulent native to South America and the Southwest , these plants are easily suit for wry , desiccate environments .
They do n’t need a lot of water and recommended for USDA hardiness zones 6 to 7 .
These plants can go for many years , but they may not grow very large . They tend to grow in a orchis or barrel - shaped and produce thicket - similar spines .
Most people rarely get their cactus ball to rise bigger than 4″ to 6″ inch .
After several years , plants may accomplish a height closer to one invertebrate foot . There are also some coinage of this works that may only strain three inches and never get any taller .
Flowering and Fragrance
It takes about three old age before these plant start to produce flowers .
The peak sprout from the top of the cacti and typically form a clump . In some cases , the flower may exceed the size of the cactus plant .
With most Lucille Ball type cactus metal money , the flowers are a brilliantly yellow or yellowish - orange . They do n’t produce a fragrance .
To help your cacti flush , follow these extra footprint in the wintertime :
These step increase the chances of a goodly blossom plant .
Light & Temperature
Notocactus prefer a muckle of full sun . It should get plenty of light and heat throughout the day , especially during the spring and summer .
Indoors place plant in a south - facing window without jeopardy of scorching the plant .
In the winter , plant can tolerate colder temperatures . It may hold out freezing temperatures when grown outdoors in cold region .
Watering and Feeding
In the summertime , water frequently . Keep an centre on the wet . Do not give up plants to posture in excessively wet grease . This increases the risk of fungal attacks and guff .
Apply fertilizer during the warmer month and not at all during the winter months . weighing machine back the tearing during the wintertime , allowing the works to rest .
Soil & Transplanting
These succulent plants do not have an blanket root social organisation . Plant in a cactus mix or veritable potting soil mixed with pumice , perlite , or sand .
It should offer excellent drain helping to protect the industrial plant from fungus .
Plants only need transplanting when they outgrow its pot or you want to use a unlike container .
These plants get easy and do n’t get very big . They should be o.k. remaining in the same container for its entire spirit .
Grooming & Maintenance
No preparation is necessary . However , plants may need a little bit of operating theatre on occasion . If you detect flabby spot or the industrial plant is starting to rot , you’re able to attempt to tailor away the rot .
If the rot propagate too far , it will become impossible to treat , throw the plant life away .
How to Propagate Notocactus Plants
bet on the species , you may be capable to obtain seeds from the flowers or bare root offsets from around the base .
If rotting takes over the plant , these may be your only options for saving it .
Collect seeds from the dry prime after the flowering season . Allow the flower to dry , and then excite the seeds devoid .
Check for offsets . However , offsets do not appear around every ball type cactus .
When maturate from seed , use cactus soil and inseminate in a flat bag . Add only about 1 - 1/2″ inches of soil pour over a bed or Harlan Stone or crushed rock .
Cover the source with backbone and cover with a fictile canvas .
After the seedlings appear , hit the charge card plane and give the seeds more sunlight . The undermentioned year , transplant the seedlings to individual containers .
REad our article for more onpropagating all eccentric of cactus .
Popular Varieties
Notocactus magnificus ( Parodia magnifica ) – ballon cactus , easy grower , can not tolerate rime
Notocactus leninghausii ( Parodia leninghausii ) – gold ball cactus , gold spines , looks like a miniature barrel cactus
Notocactus scopa – Silver ballock , middling classic cactus , soft , silvery - white , deserves a place in every collection , lemon - yellow flower
Notocactus schlosseri ( Parodia erubescense ) – abject growing , penetrating white to orange spines , yellow blooms , sluttish to grow
Notocactus buiningii ( Parodia buiningii ) – many penetrating rib , bright emerald light-green soundbox , large yellow flower
Notocactus concinnus – prolific bloomer , papery yellow flowers
Pests or Diseases Of Notocactus
Spider mites , mealybugs , and rot are the cock-a-hoop terror . With the critters , employ an insecticide or attempt to wash them away with soapy piddle .
If you detect rot , remember to try cutting it out before it spreads .
Suggested Ball Cacti Uses
These small cactus work best in a succulent garden surrounded by other cacti .
Consider pairing it with other testicle cacti . intermixture and matching a few different species should produce some interesting showing .