Accepted Scientific Name: Rebutia heliosa Rausch
Kakteen Sukk. 21: 30, figs. 1970
Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis f. cristata Photo by: Agócs György
Origin and Habitat: Garden origin.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Rebutia heliosa
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Accepted name in llifle Database:Rebutia heliosa RauschKakteen Sukk. 21: 30, figs. 1970Synonymy: 31
Cultivars
(4):
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Description: The typical Rebutia heliosaSN|5204]]SN|5204]] var. condorensis is a small clumping cactus with very short spines arranged on globes so that it looks like orbs covered with small, white spiders. It readily forms a clustering mound. The blossoms are numerous, large dark-red, funnel-shaped, long-necked, 4 cm in diameter, 5 cm long.
Crested form: The crested form is cultivated for its beautiful fan shaped stem with short, whitish to pale brown, spider-like spine and pronounced sculpture effects. Crested specimens are often grafted on stronger species, called the stock, that can be any number of different columnar cactus. These plants occasionally produce normal shoots.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Rebutia heliosa group
- Rebutia densipectinata KK849 f.ma brevispina hort.: This is one of the most remarkable red blooming Rebutias with short, tiny silvery brown spines and purple tinged stem reminding of Sulcorebutia rauschii.
- Rebutia densipectinata KK849 Jucanas, Tarija, Bolivia 2800m (3000m) Kníže non F.Ritter: (same as: R. heliosa var. condorensis and var. melanistic?) forms a mound of tiny heads covered by white to tan coloure pectinated spines. Blossoms bright red.
- Rebutia heliosa Rausch: It is a miniature plant that readily forms a clustering mound of tiny heads. The spines are very short, silvery, dense and pectinate, covering almost completely the small stems in a spiral pattern. Blooms orange.
- Rebutia heliosa var. cajasensis Donald: has orange-red or red flowers, larger heads with silvery pectinated spines. It looks pretty like v. condorensis but lighter spined. Distribution: Desfiladero de Cajas
- Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis Donald: The variety “condorensis” specifically describes the clones of the species with dark red flowers, and larger heads. Distribution: Condor pass.
- Rebutia heliosa var. condorensis f. cristata hort.: Crested form.
- Rebutia heliosa f. cristata hort.: The crested stems are 2,5-4 cm thick and eventually forms a brain-shaped clump 10 to 20 cm across.
- Rebutia heliosa f. monstruosa hort.: each branch, after an initial normal growth, go crazy and starts to produce bumped structures or even dichotomize funnily. This odd cactus is very distinctive.
- Rebutia heliosa var. solisioides hort.
- Rebutia heliosa subs. teresae Kníže, Říha & Šeda: It is a long-spined form. The spines are not quite as appressed and the areoles are not as elongated. The flowers are more intensely red-orange. Distribution: Cajas Pass, near Nogales, North West of Tarija.
- Rebutia heliosa cv. Yellow: albinos form.
Notes: The R. helosa v. condorensis is very similar, if not the same as Rebutia heliosaSN|5204]]SN|5204]] var. albopectinata. The only difference is the stigma colour, that is white in condorensis and pale green in albopectinata.
Cultivation and Propagation: Although regarded as a choice and difficult plant is not too difficult in a greenhouse, although grows quite slowly. It is usually seen as a grafted plant but grows very well on its own roots too.
Soil: Use mineral well permeable mineral 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)
Propagation: Grafting or cuttings. Plants are usually grafted onto column-shaped cacti but proved to be able to produce their own roots if degrafted. Cuttings will root better in hot weather. Cuttings must be kept quite dry to root. Large crested piece must be placed on the soil surface without burying the plant base down in the soil.