= Neowerdermannia vorwerkii var. gielsdorfiana Backeb.
Cact. Succ. J. (Los Angeles) 23: 86. 1951
Accepted Scientific Name: Neowerdermannia vorwerkii Frič
Kaktusář Cislo II, Listopad Rocnik 1 (1930); cf. Monatsschr. Deutsch.Kakt.-Ges. ii. 276 (1930).
Rebutia vorwerkii var. gielsdorfiana (Neowerdermannia vorwerkii var. gielsdorfiana) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
KK975 (Collector: Karel Kníže) v. gielsdorfiana. Locality: Oruro, Bolivia. Altitude: 4200m
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Neowerdermannia vorwerkii
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Neowerdermannia vorwerkii FričKaktusář Cislo II, Listopad Rocnik 1 (1930); cf. Monatsschr. Deutsch.Kakt.-Ges. ii. 276 (1930).Synonymy: 14
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Common Names include:
SPANISH (Español): Achacana
Description: Neowerdermannia vorwerkiiSN|10426]]SN|10426]] has the form of an inverted cone with the flat top almost at soil level, but in cultivation it usually shows a spherical shape. The fat underground stock is formed by part of the stem (identifiable from the remnants of old areoles) merging with the tuberose root (identifiable from the fine lateral roots)
Stem: Depressed globose, partially underground, green,pale green or dark gray-green, 6-8(-10) cm across.
Root: Thick turnip-like
Ribs: 16 or more, indistinct, spiralling, deeply divided into bluntly conic tubercles, 3-sided, with a triangular flattened upper side, and an acute, hatchet-like under side.
Areoles:Found, uncharacteristically for cacti, at the base of the tubercles instead of at the apex and with white-wooll when young,
Radial spines up to10 spreading star-like, curved, blackish at first, later whitish or brownish, to 17 mm long. Lowest directed downward.
Central spines: 1-3, often hooked, whitish, brownish to grayish, to 2(-4) cm long.
Flowers Almost lateral, funnel-shaped, tepals white or pale lilac-pink with a darker midline, 15-20 mm long and in diameter, bare (without hairs) but scaly and with a distinct nectar chamber.
Blooming season: May or June.
Fruits Deep seated between the tubercles, globose, green, becoming reddish, 5-8 mm in diameter. Opening when ripe by a partial circumscissile splitting near the top of the fruit with the partial fruit cap tilting outward at about 160°.
Fruiting: The fruit mature the year after.
Seeds: Blackish to brown, large, 2 x 1,5 mm, rugose, shaped like a comma. Hilum inconspicuous.
Remarks: It is close related with Neowerdermannia.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Neowerdermannia vorwerkii group
Cultivation and Propagation: These plants come from mountainous areas, so like bright light, cool and dry conditions in the winter; this is important for the flowers as well as for their health. Without this cool winter period (0-10° C) they normally won't get many buds. They have a thick taproot and are of difficult cultivation and rot prone because of a great sensitivity to the excess of watering, not easy to get to any large size on their own roots really a challenge to grow into a large clump. They are commonly grafted to avoid root problems and to make easier to grow.
Sun Exposure: Suited for sunny-brightly exposure; can tolerate light shade.
Cultural Practices: Suited for airy exposures. Needs deep pot and good drainage to accommodate its tap root.
It is very cold resistant as low as to -10° C or less for short periods of time. On a graft the plants are easier to grow, but the body splits if over-watered (especially in spring).
Pests & diseases: Itis especially prone to root rot, therefore, underpot in a smaller container filled with very porous compost.
Propagation: Seeds, also can be grown from cutting or graft. Seeds can be sown in the spring or summer. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted, after which they can be planted separately in small pots.