Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto

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Since 4 Aug 2013

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto

Family: CACTACEAE

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

Origin and Habitat: Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar). There are several forms mainly selected by Asian growers, particularly in Japan.

Synonyms:

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto

Astrophytum asterias cv. Super Kabuto

See all synonyms of Astrophytum asterias

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Accepted name in llifle Database:
Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem.
Cactées 50. 1868
Synonymy: 18

Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem.

Astrophytum asterias var. asterias Frič
Echinocactus asterias Zucc.

Astrophytum asterias f. aurea hort.
Astrophytum asterias f. cristatum hort.
Astrophytum asterias var. magnipunctatum Frič
Astrophytum asterias var. multipunctatum Frič
Astrophytum asterias var. nudicarpa Frič
Astrophytum asterias var. nudum Y.Itô

Astrophytum asterias cv. Ruri Kabuto

Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. aurea hort.
Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. cristata hort.
Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. rubra hort.
Astrophytum asterias f. proliferum hort.
Astrophytum asterias var. pubescente Y.Itô
Astrophytum asterias var. roseiflorum Frič
Astrophytum asterias var. seminuda Frič
Astrophytum asterias var. striatipetalum Y.Okomura & Y.Itô

Cultivars (73):

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto

Astrophytum asterias cv. Super Kabuto

Astrophytum asterias cv. Rote Bluete

Astrophytum asterias cv. Alpus

Astrophytum asterias cv. Alps Super Kabuto

Astrophytum asterias cv. Goryo Kabuto (Five Ribs) + Ruri

Astrophytum asterias var. nudum cv. Five Ribs

Astrophytum asterias cv. Goryo Kabuto (Five Ribs) + Ruri + Fukuryiu + Ooibo

Astrophytum asterias cv. Five Ribs + Ruri + Fukuryiu + Ooibo

Astrophytum asterias f. variegatum (orange)

Astrophytum asterias cv. Nisiki (yellow)

Astrophytum asterias cv. Nohakuten Kabuto

Astrophytum asterias cv. Multipunctata

Astrophytum asterias cv. Line Areoles

Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. variegatum (Orange-Red type) hort.

Astrophytum asterias cv. Ruri Kabuto Nisiki (Yellow)

Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. variegatum (Yellow type) hort.

Astrophytum asterias cv. Shinshowa

Astrophytum asterias cv. Showa Red

Astrophytum asterias cv. Big Super

Astrophytum asterias f. multicostatum hort.

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Description: Astrophytum asteriasSN|1464]]SN|1464]] 'Super Kabuto' with its inimitable fuzzy epidermis is actually the most popular cactus cultivar. It is easily distinguished from the normal Astrophytum asteriasSN|3564]]SN|1464]] by the epidermis, that does not have simple dots, but a mosaic of extensive white spots that make the plant look intensely maculate.
The "Superkabuto" would (probably) come from a mutation that occurred in nature to just one field-collected individual A. asterias found in 1981 by the Japanese Mr. Masaomi Takeo in an American garden centre and sold to Tony Sato at a high price in Japan.
Propagations have been made possible by cross-pollinating this fist plant with other normal A. asterias and Astrophytum capricorneSN|1464]]SN|3564]] (and possible other Astrophytum species too), it can be concluded that all the SK actually available are the result of intraspecific hybridization and SK contains not only A. asterias genes but also a significant number of A. capricorne genes, and maybe others. As a result spiny clones appear rather often and the name Astrophytum asteriasSN|1464]]SN|1464]] cv. Super Kabuto is not quite correct.
Remarks: Many different beautiful forms of 'Super Kabuto' , which differ for the diverse pattern of the spots are now available. It would be difficult to mention them all: they range from completely white forms ('white-type'), to forms with woolly spots ('snow-type'), to forms with a maculation like the shape of fly's wings ('zebra-type' or 'V type').

Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Astrophytum asterias group

Astrophytum asterias (Zucc.) Lem.: Non-branched, flat, dark green. Just flat to the ground surface, the plant body grows on the native habitat practically complete buried . Only in cultivation plants may have a spherical till columnar shape. Diameter 3-8(-16) cm. Height 2 to 6 cm.
Astrophytum asterias f. aurea hort.: Mutant completely lacking chlorophyll pigment. The result is a completely yellow or yellow-orange plant.
Astrophytum asterias f. cristatum hort.: The crested form only deviate from the typical form for the stem which is fan shaped up to 30 cm (or more ) in diameter with age.
Astrophytum asterias var. nudum Y.Itô: (a.k.a. cv. Ruri Kabuto) This form has a very characteristic glabrous stem lacking the white tufts of loose hairy scales typical of the common Astrophytum asterias.
Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. aurea hort.: Nude mutant completely lacking chlorophyll pigment. The result is a completely yellow plant.
Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. cristata hort.: Crested nude form.
Astrophytum asterias var. nudum f. rubra hort.: has nude ribs of a bright orange-red colour due to the absence (or reduced production) of chlorophyll pigments.
Astrophytum asterias f. proliferum hort.: This form varies from the typical Astrophytum asterias for the tendency to branch forming small side pups from the areole.
Astrophytum asterias var. roseiflorum Frič: Selected form with pink coloured flowers. However a very few pink flowered specimens will appear time by time among normal yellow flowered plants.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Akabana: (Akabana Kabuto) Its flowers are red, which is very uncharacteristic of this genus. Petals are shaded in dark pinkish-red, orange-red or purple wine-red with usually even darker flower edges.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Alpus: the of rib tips (bearing the line of areoles) are more or less deeply seated within the plants body, while the suture line between the ribs is turned outward and more or less expanded creating odd and unique shapes.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ekubo Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Elephant Skin: has a bumpy elephant-like skin.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Feather Flower: has colourful fringed petals.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Fukuryiu: Plant with dditional ribs. This plant will develop protuberances (like beginnings of ribs) or small extra ribs (more or less prominent ). Usually these additional ribs will not reach the plant apex.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Gelbe Bluete
Astrophytum asterias cv. Godzilla: Has reptile-like skin.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Gokuu-kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Golden kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Goryo Kabuto (Five Ribs): 5 ribbed form available with different pattern of the spots.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Goryo Kabuto (Five Ribs) + Ruri: has nude stems with only 5 ribs.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Goryo Kabuto (Five Ribs) + Ruri + Fukuryiu + Ooibo
Astrophytum asterias cv. Hakuun: This cultivar varies from the typical A. asterias for the white flecks that condense, forming characteristic cloud-like patches.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Hakuun forma prolifera: Plant distingushed for the white flecks that condense, forming characteristic cloud-like patches and for the tendency to branch forming small side pups from the areole.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Hanaizumi
Astrophytum asterias cv. Hanazono: Some additional woolly areoles are produced on the ribs surface. Flowers buds develop from the median line between two ribs and usually they are not produced by areoles.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Hanazono Star Type
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ibosaki Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ikaryoko: Monstrous form.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kigan Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kikko: (Kikko Kabuto) It has raised tubercles along the ribs edges, in fact its areoles stick out with large notches between them, giving them a bumpy look.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kikko Lizard Skin: has broad raised tubercles with a lizard Skin and the plant appears decorated with a geometrical design which is raised above the surface, giving it a bumpy look.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kikko Nudum: This is the nude form of "Kikko" with raised tubercles along the ribs edges, it resembles some chinned cacti particularly some Gymocalyciums.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kikko Nudum f. aurea: This is the albinos form of "Kikko" (Mutant completely lacking chlorophyll pigment) The result is a completely cream-white, yellow or reddish plant.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kikko Nudum f. cristata: crested form.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kikko Nudum violet: This is the violet schizochromic form form of "Kikko". The result is a magenta-violet plant.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kiku Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Kofuki Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Koo-yo
Astrophytum asterias cv. Mamma Kikko: has ribs completely divides in tubercles that resemble women breasts. When viewed from above the plants resemble a tortoise-shell.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Mirakuru Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Mottles
Astrophytum asterias cv. muscle: has green ribs with large creamy white areoles and for the abnormal tendency to branch forming small side pups. Ribs usually 8 with raised tubercles giving them a bumpy look.
Astrophytum asterias cv. muscle cristatum: crested form with green ribs with large creamy white areoles.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Musha Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Nisiki (orange): has sectors, patches or stripes with distinct shades of orange-red.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Nisiki (yellow): has sectors, patches or stripes with distinct shades of yellow.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Nohakuten Kabuto: Heavily flecked form.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ohkan Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ooibo + Ruri (nudum) Kabuto: Plant with large woolly areoles (typical of cv. Ooibo) and with green nude stem ( Typical of cv. Rury Kabuto)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ooibo Kabuto: Japanese selected strain with big wooly areoles, the colour of the wool also varies from pure white, to pastel, yellowish, orangish or brownish depending on the clone.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Rasen Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Rensei: It is a nice selection with densely packaged areoles (usually orangish) on the rib edges. The areoles tend to merge, forming an almost continuous line.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ruri Kabuto Akabana: has smooth green stem of cv. Ruri Kabuto (Astrophytum asterias var. nudum) and bright red flowers of cv. Akabana.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ruri Kabuto Nisiki (Orange-Red): a.k.a.: forma nuda variegata (Orange-Red Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Ruri Kabuto Nisiki (Yellow): a.k.a.: forma nuda variegata (Yellow Type)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Sakata Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Showa: (a.k.a. Shinshowa Kabuto) has yellow flowers with very fine petals, cut into shreds.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Showa Red: (a.k.a. Red Shinshowa Kabuto) has pink-red or orange-red flowers with very fine petals, cut into shreds.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Star Type: This cultivar only varies from the typical A. asterias for the star shaped stem instead of rounded .
Astrophytum asterias cv. Super Hanazono: has the inimitable furry additional areoles of cv. Hanazono with the large mosaic of extensive white spots of cv. Superkabuto. The result is an intensely white and furry plant.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto: Distinguished from the normal A. asterias by the epidermis, that does not have simple dots, but a mosaic of extensive white spots that make the plant look intensely maculate.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto + Ooibo: has very large characteristic and woolly areoles, the colour of the wool also varies from pure white, to pastel, yellowish, orangish or brownish depending on the clone.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto + Rensei (Line Areoles): has densely packaged areoles (often orangish) on the rib edges. The areoles tend to merge, forming an almost continuous line.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto f. cristata: The crested form of "SUPERKABUTO", only deviate from the typical form for the stem which is fan shaped up to 30 cm (or more ) in diameter with age.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto f. monstruosa: has slender, triangular ariocarpus-like tubercles around the woolly crown of a spherical flattened stem covered by a creamy-white felt.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto f. prolifera: distinguishable for the tendency to branch forming small side pups from the areole..
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto f. prolifera cristata: this is a peculiar crested form with an abnormal tendency to branch forming small side pups from the areole.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Five Ribs: The form with only five ribs, is particularly rare because many of the 5 ribbed seedlings that occasionally appear will usually develop additional ribs in a few years as they age.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type: It differ for the dense white covering of dots that almost conceal the epidermis, this particular form is also called "Snow White", or “White Form” .
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type f. cristata: crested form with stems completely concealed by tufts of bright white hairy scales.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Snow Type f. monstruosa: produces odd bumped shapes with branches completely concealed by tufts of bright white hairy scales, and it is possible to find clones with different degrees of monstrosity.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Star Type: Typical "Superkabuto" with extensive white spots, but with star shaped stem instead of rounded. .
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Star Type + Snow type
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Star Type + V Type: This is a very nice and distinguishing plant that combine the star shaped form with the V pattern of the "V type" form.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Sutadorimu: (Star Dream)
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto V type: a.k.a. "V-type", “Fly's wings type” or “Tiger”. It differs for the diverse pattern that form distinct v-shaped lines resembling the shape of fly's wings.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto V type f. cristatum
Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Yellow Dots Type
Astrophytum asterias cv. Taryo Kabuto
Astrophytum asterias cv. Thirteen ribs: The normal rib number (eight) is very stable in wild specimens. The form with thirteen ribs is quite exceptional.
Astrophytum asterias cv. Wakareryu

Bibliography: Major reference and further lectures
1) Hadley Nation "Super Kabuto and Rare Astrophytum: Limited Edition Collector's Guide" Little Quin Publishing, 2007
2) http://www.astrobase.de/Asterias/Artikel/esuperkap.html
3) Sato, T., "J.C.P Color Hand Book Series No. 2, Volume 1, Hand Book Asterias Family" page 1-65, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press. 03/25/1973
4) Benadom, D., "Cacti & Succulents for the Amateur" in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 70 No. (6), page 314-315, 1998
5) Kleszewski, K. P., "Verein der Kakteenfreunde Mainz/Wiesb. u. Umgebung, OG, Astrophytum asterias (ZUCC.) LEM. Am Standort in Mexiko...und in Kultur" in: Kaktusblüte, volume: No., page 25-28, 1998
6) Kibayashi, A., "Cacti and succulents in Japan, part 1" in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 65 No. (3), page 126-127, 1993
7) Kobayashi, A., "Cacti and succulents in Japan, part 3" in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 68 No. (5), page 245-249, 1996
8) Sato, T., "Astrophytum asterias varieties" In : A Quarterly Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, volume: 1 No. (1), page 22-34, 1978
9) Sato, T., "Astrophytum asterias" in: Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, volume: 9 No. 7, page 10-14, 1995
10 ) Sato, T., "Astrophytum asterias" in: Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 3, page 10-14, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, 1995
11) Sato, T., "Contest of Cactus & Succulent plant in Kyoto 1998" in: Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 11, page 2-7, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, 1998
12) Sato, T., "Contest of Cactus & Succulent plant in Saitama 1998" in: Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 12, page 2-4, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, 1998
13) Sato, T., Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 6, page 2, 7, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, (unknown) 1999
14) Sato, T., Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 7, page 9, 10, 15, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press, (unknown) 1999
15) Sato, T., 1999 "The report of the grand meeting to celbrate the 20th anniversary of 'KYOSENKAI'" in Cactus & Succulent Journal of Japan, No. 9, page 2-11, Japan Cactus Planning Co. Press,
16) Anderson, M., "Grafting succulents" in: Cact. Succ. Journ. (US), volume: 69 No. (1), page 17-25, 1997

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Photo by: Prof. Ilham Alakbarov

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Photo by: Cactus Art

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Photo by: Andrea B.

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

Astrophytum asterias cv. Superkabuto Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli

Seedlings. Photo by: Carolina González

Cultivation and Propagation: Astrophytum asteriasSN|1464]]SN|1464]] cv. supekabuto is a summer grower plant relatively easy to grow. It is sometime seen as a grafted plant but grows well on its own roots too. It is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows slowly.
Soil: Use mineral well permeable substratum with little organic matter (peat, humus), plants may become too elongated if compost is too rich.
Repotting: It needs to be repotted frequently. Eventually, as it becomes mature, it attain a maximum size of 8-10 cm (20) cm. However, old plants become senile and have a tendency to succumb to disease and a weak root system. At this stage, as is well known, they die suddenly. So, after they reach 10 cm in diameter grow them slowly, and adopt a new repotting period, using intervals of every 2 - 3 years. Use pot with good drainage.
Fertilization: It grows much faster with a low nitrogen content fertilizer in spring and summer. Potassium helps maintaining the plants compact and healthy.
Watering: Requires careful watering to keep plant compact. Water sparingly from March till October, the thin, fibrous roots suffer if there is humidity, therefore the plant should be watered only when the surrounding terrain is dry. Keep dry as soon as the temperature starts dropping in October and keep it perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade.
Be careful: The epidermis of Superkabuto is harder than in the normal asterias and cracks easily if plants are overwatered.
Hardiness: They need to be kept in a cool place during winter rest and are somewhat resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (due to the altitude they are hardy to -5 C ° C, or less for short periods). It tends to rot in winter during the resting phase, if kept wet. In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!!
Sun Exposure: It needs a good amount of light. Light shade to full sun, its colour tends to richer and darker when grown in light shade.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by watering the infested plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much. To prevent rottenness it is also advisable to surround its root neck by very rough sand or grit, this help a fast water drainage.
Propagation: By seeds, remembering that seedlings dislike strong light and dry conditions and need to be repotted frequently. But plants are often grafted to accelerate growth as they would generally take at least a five years to reach maturity on their own, but the grafted plants are typical rather tall growing, compared with plants on their own roots that are usually more flat to the ground.
Remarks: This quite variable plant has been widely grown for years and is now available in several cultivated variety and several breeds do exist. The famous “Superkabuto” is only one of these and though maybe the most beautiful, but a lot of other forms are represented in many collections.

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