Ariocarpus fissuratus, also known as the Living Rock Cactus or Turtle Shell Cactus, is a perennial succulent from the cactus family, specifically the Ariocarpus genus. It gets its common names from its distinctive appearance, featuring interwoven grooves that resemble a turtle’s shell, and it looks much like a piece of stone sculpture, hence the name “living rock”.
The plant is small, growing individually or in clusters, with a grey-green spherical body. Warty protrusions on the body are broad and triangular. The cactus blooms from the center of the sphere, producing beautiful pink flowers. However, the plant is known to be difficult to bloom, requiring at least three years of cultivation. If all goes well, it will bloom around May each year.
Ariocarpus fissuratus is a perennial succulent from the cactus family, predominantly found in the southwestern region of Texas, USA, and northern Mexico. Due to the enduring drought and hot climate, the entire plant is almost entirely buried underground in its native habitat.
Most plants grow individually, with mature plants occasionally producing offsets. They have beet-shaped, swollen taproots and a rosette-like shape above the ground, with a tuft of whitish wool at the top. The plants are green with a white bloom and have a diameter between 7-20 cm depending on the variety. The warty protrusions are thickly triangular.
The cactus is native to arid, barren limestone gravel areas in northern Mexico and western Texas. It endures harsh environments and grows slowly. It is one of the slowest growing species in the Ariocarpus genus, only growing faster than the Agave cactus. Generally, it takes nearly a century to reach 15-20 cm. Added to this, it is difficult to propagate and rare, which has led to it being dubbed the “Panda of the Plant World”. It is also called the “Living Rock”.
Ariocarpus fissuratus is native to southwestern Texas, USA, and northern Mexico.
The cactus prefers strong, abundant sunlight and a well-ventilated environment.
Ariocarpus fissuratus has a thick, fleshy root. The plant body grows individually or in clusters, cushion-like, varying greatly in size due to the variety, with a single spherical body diameter of 10 cm to 15 cm. The top is flat and covered with dense white or yellow-white wool. The epidermis has thick, hard, triangular warts, the surface of which is grey-green to brown-green, wrinkling into irregular grooves.
There is a longitudinal groove in the middle that extends to the armpit of the wart, accompanied by short wool; the flowers are borne at the top, bell-shaped, pink, 3.5 cm to 4 cm long, usually several open at the same time, open during the day and closed at night.
Ariocarpus fissuratus has a rather thick root system, so when choosing soil, opt for sandy soil that is rich in limestone. This ensures good aeration and drainage. It’s also important to select a pot that’s deep enough to accommodate the roots and ensure a deep, well-structured soil layer that’s conducive to the cactus’s growth.
Ariocarpus fissuratus requires light for nourishment, but it is not very tolerant of intense sunlight. This is especially true in the summer when the light is strong and harsh. Without appropriate measures to shield the plant from intense light, Ariocarpus fissuratus can easily get sunburned, leading to droopy growth and even spotty leaves.
Ariocarpus fissuratus prefers a warm environment, with optimal temperatures between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). It does not like high temperatures and has weak cold tolerance, so it’s important to control the temperature in summer and winter. In summer, enhance ventilation and timely shading. In winter, move the plant indoors. The indoor temperature should ideally be above 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) to prevent frost damage.
Ariocarpus fissuratus is quite drought-tolerant, so be careful not to water it too frequently. Overwatering can easily lead to root rot, which hampers growth. Only water the plant when the soil is completely dry. If the soil is not dry, do not water it. When watering, do so along the edge of the flower pot, or use the immersion method. Also, the type of water used matters, with rainwater being the best. If you’re using tap water, allow it to sit out before use.
Providing timely nutritional supplements for Ariocarpus fissuratus can enhance its growth. During the growth period, apply a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorus, and high-potassium compound fertilizer every 15 to 20 days. Before using the fertilizer, it is essential to dilute it with water to reduce concentration, as this can prevent fertilizer burn in the potting soil, which could lead to the death of the cactus.
Ariocarpus fissuratus and other species of the genus Ariocarpus are native to arid, barren wildlands in the United States and Mexico. Influenced by climate and their growth habits, these plants grow extremely slowly.
A wild Ariocarpus fissuratus with a diameter of 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) would need at least 100 years to reach this size. Therefore, its natural propagation is very challenging, and some wild species have become extinct in the wild. They are primarily propagated by artificial methods, including sowing and grafting.
Seed propagation is one of the main ways Ariocarpus fissuratus propagates in nature. However, since the fruit takes a long time to mature and germination is difficult, the germination rate is extremely low, and seedlings grow slowly. Artificial sowing can be done in spring, from March to May.
Choose limestone sand-like soil with loose, well-drained, and aerated properties. Maintain a germination temperature of about 24°C (75.2°F), and keep the soil moist after sowing. Seedlings can germinate in about a week, but they grow slowly and take a long time to flower.
Grafting propagation is one of the main methods for artificially cultivating precious succulent plant varieties. After the temperature warms up in spring, use healthy columnar cacti, such as Trichocereus pachanoi, as the rootstock, and the base buds of Ariocarpus fissuratus as the scion for flat grafting. The scion is grafted immediately after harvesting, and the grafting room temperature is controlled between 20~30°C (68~86°F).
Different regions can choose the suitable grafting season based on local conditions. Grafted plants have the characteristics of fast propagation, rapid growth, and early flowering. However, grafted plants lack the thick fleshy taproot and may suffer from insufficient nutrient supply and premature aging later, resulting in plant decline and reduced ornamental value.
The plants require well-drained, aerated sandy soil. The soil mix can be composed of three parts sand, and one part each of broken bricks (or gravel), loam, and leaf mold. The plants are quite cold-tolerant and can withstand temperatures around 0°C (32°F) as long as the potting soil remains dry. They prefer plenty of sunshine and good air circulation.
During the growing season from April to October, water thoroughly but avoid waterlogging. As autumn begins, gradually reduce watering. The lower the winter temperature, the drier the potting soil should be.
Ariocarpus fissuratus and other species of the genus Ariocarpus are rarely seen in the horticultural market. They are only grown in limited numbers in some large botanical gardens and research institutes, primarily for research and educational purposes. These plants are typically grown indoors as potted plants or in greenhouses.
Ariocarpus fissuratus has a peculiar appearance and beautiful flowers, making it highly ornamental. According to media reports, a seedling of Ariocarpus fissuratus costs about one to two hundred yuan, and as the plant grows larger, the price increases with the size of the plant, reaching thousands of yuan for larger specimens. Although Ariocarpus fissuratus is expensive, it is an endangered plant species and is not allowed to be traded internationally. For many succulent enthusiasts, owning an Ariocarpus fissuratus is a highly coveted goal.
Ornamental and Health Benefits: Ariocarpus fissuratus is one of the most valuable types of cacti. It is often referred to as a “living rock” due to its stone-like appearance. Its extremely slow growth rate makes it a favorite choice for pot cultivation for ornamental purposes.
Peggie was once a high school mathematics teacher, but she set aside her chalkboard and textbooks to follow her lifelong passion for flowers. After years of dedication and learning, she not only established a thriving flower shop but also founded this blog, “Flowers Library”. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about flowers, feel free to contact Peggie.
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