Gymnocalycium mesopotamicum

Endemic to Argentina, Gymnocalycium mesopotamicus is a small cactus often solitary in habitat, but freely branching in cultivation where it makes pleasing clumps. Blooming Habits: Flower pure white up to 5,5 cm long and 6,5 cm in diameter. It is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate, relatively rapidly growing and easily flowering species that will make clumps given the best conditions. This plant needs plenty of space for its roots, repotting should be done every other year or when the it has outgrown its pot. Use pot with good drainage. Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C. Hardiness: hardy to -12 C ° C, or less for short periods, but for safe cultivation it is best to avoid freezing temperatures. Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.   Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz