Accepted Scientific Name: Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum (H.Moeller) Y.Okomura
In: Classification of Astrophytum, Syaboten-no-Kenkyu 4: 174-175, 195-201, 215-216; page 175
Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum f. cristata Photo by: Flavio Agrosi
Collection ''uncle Chorn's cabin'' (Bangkok, Thailand)
Origin and Habitat: Garden origin.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Astrophytum capricorne
Description: Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum is a popular variey of "Astrophytum capricorneSN|3564]]SN|3564]]" characterized by a sharp-ribbed, larger body with bright green and almost bare skin (lacks white dots), but the main distinguishing feature is in the spination. Spines are noticeably stronger, longer, larger and thicker than in the common Astrophytum capricorneSN|29854]]SN|3564]].
Crested form: The crested sago palm (Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum f. cristataSN|3564]]SN|29854]]) is a very rare, slow-growing and highly priced crested cactus forming odd shapes. Its stems fan out and can make a spectacular specimen. The crested form - despite to its beauty - is still very rare, pricey and sought after by collectors.
Stem: Fan shaped up to 30 cm in diameter, and c. 10 cm in width.
Ribs: Sharp dull-geen to bluish-green often with a reddish edge.
Areoles: Elongate greyish tomentose.
Spines: The 6-8 (or more) spines are somewhat pectiate, striking strong and up to 8.5 cm long, flat, black to brown in the youth, later grey-chalky. They are noticeably stronger, larger and thicker than in the common Astrophytum capricorneSN|3564]]SN|3564]]. Yellow spined plant are occasionally found in cultivation.
Flowers: The blossoms have a reddish eye as in Astrophytum capricorne var. niveum but pure sulphurous flowers are also mentioned.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Astrophytum capricorne group
- Astrophytum capricorne F.A.C.Weber in Bois: Solitary globose or columnar cactus with long, curled and spines that looks like goat's horns.
- Astrophytum capricorne var. aureum Megata: The spines are golden yellow when young, but as they age become greyish like in the other capricorne.
- Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum nudum (H.Moeller) Y.Itô: The stems is larger bright green and almost bare (lack white dots). Spines arestriking strong and up to 8.5 cm long, flat, black to brown, or (occasionally white or yellow) in the youth, later grey-chalky.
- Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum (H.Moeller) Y.Okomura: Beautiful variety with striking strong flat and large spines up to 8.5 cm long. It is very similar to Astrophytum capricorne var niveum (and the differences between this variety is questionable)
- Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum f. cristata hort.: crested form with strong, long, flat and large spines.
- Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum cv. Hooks: This is a rare form with spines ending with a hook.
- Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum cv. Kigan: (cv. Kigan Gyoku) monstrous form loosing frequently its apical dominance with irregular shaped stems..
- Astrophytum capricorne var. crassispinum cv. Taiho-gyoku Megata: (cv. Taiho Gyoku) has few but stout, very wide and flatt spines.
- Astrophytum capricorne var. mayor Frič: Larger form when living in open fields but very similar to standard Astrophytum capricorne (and the differences between this two forms is questionable)
- Astrophytum capricorne var. minus C.Runge & Quehl: (ho-o-gyoku, ho-o-maru) Small growing variety of the species when living in open fields.
- Astrophytum capricorne var. niveum Y.Okomura: (cv. Hakuzuiho Gyoku) This form has striking more rigid and wide thorns and very more closely whiter flockingIt, it is bigger than var. senilis and aureum, and its dimension are similar to the standard species.
- Astrophytum capricorne f. nudum
- Astrophytum capricorne subs. senile (Frič) Doweld: It has dark reddish brown till black coloring spines, soon getting grey, bristly, flexible, square in cross-section, up to 10 cm long and pointing in all directions that often form up spirals, they are so densely nest wrapped that the body is hardly visible and looks like a dry grass bundle.
- Astrophytum capricorne subs. senile cv. Krausii: has pure white spines and a yellow flower but without the typical red throat.
- Astrophytum capricorne subs. senile cv. Rosa: ( cv. Pink Flowers) This is a selected form with Orangish or pinkish flowers with a red centre.
- Astrophytum capricorne cv. Backebergi
- Astrophytum capricorne cv. Crassispinoides
- Astrophytum capricorne cv. Kiho-gyoku: (= Kihou Gyoku) like A. capricorne v. crassispinum but with yellow spines.
- Astrophytum capricorne cv. Snowfrec: has a greater density of white spots.
Cultivation and Propagation: It is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. It is usually seen as a grafted plant but can grow on its own roots too.
Soil: Use a mineral well permeable soil with little organic matter (peat, humus).
Exposure: They need a good amount of light shade to full sun this help to keep the plants healthy, although slow growth.
Watering: Water sparingly from March till October (weekly during summertime, if the weather is sunny enough), with a little fertilizer added. Less or no water during cold winter months, or when night temperatures remain below 10° to prevent root loss. It is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone).
Fertilization: Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn't been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.
Hardiness: Keep perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. (but it is relatively cold resistant and hardy to -5° C, or possibly colder for short periods) In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! (Temperature Zone: USDA 9-11)
Crested growth: Unlike 'monstrose' varieties of plants, where the variation from normal growth is due to genetic mutation, crested growth can occur on normal plants. Sometimes it's due to variances in light intensity, or damage, but generally the causes are unknown. A crested plant may have some areas growing normally, and a cresting plant that looks like a brain, may revert to normal growth for no apparent reason. If you have any of the crested part left you need to remove the normal growth and leave the crested part behind this will need to be done regularly.
Propagation: Seeds, grafting or cuttings. Seeds usually will not come true to the crested shape of the parent and generate normal 8 ribbed plants. Plants are often grafted onto column-shaped cacti but proved to be able to produce their own roots if degrafted. Cuttings will take root in a minimum temperature of 20° C (but better in hot weather). Cuttings of healthy shoots can be taken in the spring and summer. Cut the stem with a sharp, sterile knife, leave the cutting in a warm, dry place for a week or weeks (depending on how thick the cutting is) until a callus forms over the wound. Once the callus forms, the cutting may be inserted in a container filled with firmed cactus potting mix topped with a surface layer of coarse grit. They should be placed in the coarse grit only; this prevents the cut end from becoming too wet and allows the roots to penetrate the rich compost underneath. The cuttings should root in 2 to 6 weeks. Large crested piece must be placed on the soil surface without burying the plant base down in the soil.