Gymnocalycium cv. Kikko Photo by: Raimondo Paladini
Origin and Habitat: Japan, Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)
Synonyms:
Description: This odd cultivar is easily distinguishable for its ± wide and long pointed tubercles along the monstrously bumped ribs edges. Seems to be a pretty variable plant with several clones.
Stem: Solitary or freely offsetting from the areoles: Up to 10 cm tall , 8-15 cm in diameter. Deep olive-green to yellowish-green that take a colourful purplish/brownish tinge in full sun.
Areoles: Up to 10 mm large woolly.
Spines: Absent.
Flowers: Pink
Notes: You might get some other names which are effectively the same plant.
This cultivar has been named "KIKKO" for its close resemblance to the famous Japanese Astrophytum myriostigmaSN|1845]]SN|1845]] cv. KIKKO.
Gymnocalycium cv. Kikko Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Gymnocalycium cv. Kikko Photo by: Raimondo Paladini Gymnocalycium cv. Kikko Photo by: Cactus Art Gymnocalycium cv. Kikko Photo by: Cactus Art Gymnocalycium cv. Kikko Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Gymnocalycium cv. Kikko Photo by: Cactus Art Cultivation and Propagation: This plant is usually found grafted but it proved to groove well and pretty easy on its own roots too. Water regularly in summer, keep rather dry in winter, but can handle excessive water to few water, best for half-shade but grow well in full sun and full shade too (but in full sun turns an uneven brownish red colour).
Propagation: Grafting, cutting or seed (seldom available).
Seed Collecting: Permit fruit to ripen, fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds.