Rebutia wessneriana are originally from northern Argentina. They are famous for their dark colored stems. On top of that, their ability to produce attractive flowers is also one of their special features.
These are versatile plants and they will grow with minimum supervision from you. I am going to cover how to look after these plants well and the issues you may come across when growing them.
How do I identify Rebutia wessneriana?
Rebutia wessneriana is a globular shaped cactus, and they grow in clumps. Their body diameter would be 7 cm and the height would be 10 cm. The clumps would be about 10-15 cm in width.
As aforesaid they have a dark colored stem, and it is the highlight of these plants. They consist of small white areolas as well.
Moreover, Rebutia wessneriana produces large flowers. Those blooms would be intensely red in color. Moreover, they will be yellow throated flowers too.
The width of the Rebutia wessneriana flowers would be 3.5 cm. The hybrids of the Rebutia wessneriana flowers would vary in colors. They produces flowers in spring.
The stem consists of white areoles and it would rise up to 5 cm.
They are globose in shape and dark green in color. You could expect them to offset during the third or the fourth year and they will end up forming tight clumps as they grow. Furthermore, the individual stems would stand out on their own.
Rebutia wessneriana tubercles could be spotted in the two downward spirals. Last but not least they consist of spines which are small and snow white in color.
They are slender and short too. Besides the Rebutia wessneriana spines are soft. However, they can still injure you. Hence you still need to protect yourself before interacting with the plants.
Growth rate
Rebutia wessneriana are a slow growing set of plants and as aforesaid they will form in clumps once they grow.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Rebutia wessneriana |
| Common Name | Rebutia minuscula |
| Plant Type | Cactus |
| Mature Size | 7 cm widespread / Maximum height of 10 cm. |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight to partial shade |
| Soil Type | Wel draining |
| Soil pH | Neutral or low pH |
| Bloom Time | Spring or summer |
| Flower Color | Intense red |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA hardiness zones 9 – 10. |
| Native Area | Northern Argentina |
| Toxicity | Non-Toxic |
| Average price | $ 6 |
How do you take care of Rebutia wessneriana?
Light Requirement
Bright sunlight would work well with the Rebutia wessneriana plants. Ideally full sunlight to partial shade would be perfect conditions for them.
Try to minimize exposing them for intense sunlight during the hot summer days just as it would attribute for sunburns otherwise.
Temperature and humidity.
Rebutia wessneriana would prefer to have mild temperatures.
Having said that, they can still resist a wide array of temperatures. Always make sure that you are exposing them for temperatures above 0 degree Celsius.
Is it cold hardy?
USDA Hardiness Zone
I recommend growing the Rebutia wessneriana USDA hardiness zones 9 – 10.
Watering Requirement
Rebutia wessneriana should be watered moderately during spring and summer.
Besides, you need to ascertain that the soil is dry and only then resume watering them. If not it will create rots in the plants.
You may water them once every seven days when watering them in spring and summer. Further when watering, ensure that you do it deeply.
You need to water them less often during winter. During autumn, once a month watering would be sufficient. However as aforesaid, cut down on watering them completely during winter.
Soil Requirement Type / ph.
A soil mix which is rich would be ideal to grow the Rebutia wessneriana cactus. Moreover, the soil mix has to have an excellent draining.
However, a soil mix which is specifically made for cactus or succulents would work well with them. To enhance the draining more, you may add 50 % pumice or lapilli.
Pot size Potting and Repotting.
You can proceed with a pot which is made from a porous material as then the excess moisture will evaporate.
Moreover, there should be at least one draining hole in the bottom of the pot so that it will contribute to fast draining of the pot.
To repot them you can simply take them out from the older pot first. Conduct a full check up on the plants and see whether there are any rotten parts there.
If there is any, treat them with fungicides. Next you can transplant them in a fresh potting medium which fulfill the aforesaid features.
Suspend watering them for about one week so that they can settle in the new growing conditions.
Flowers
Rebutia wessneriana produces flowers in intense red. Further they comprise yellow throats as well.
Fertilizer and time of year
Consider feeding the Rebutia wessneriana cactus with a cacti fertilizer. Never feed them when they are in the dormancy.
Do not feed them frequently. Further make sure that you dilute the fertilizers and then apply on these plants.
Dormancy
Rebutia wessneriana goes into dormancy in winter.
Toxicity
There are no records to prove the toxicity of the Rebutia wessneriana cactus.
Common bugs and illnesses
You should watch out for pests’ attacks from the regular pests such as aphids, mealybugs, scales. Besides, you need to protect the plants from root rot. The root cause for these diseases is overwatering.
How to propagate Rebutia wessneriana
You may use Rebutia wessneriana offsets for the propagation. You could spot the offsets forming in clusters and they will form on the plant base.
When those offsets are significantly grown, you can remove them. Next allow them to wither for a couple of days.
Next place them in a soil mix which has an excellent draining. You should leave the specimen exposed for warmer temperatures.
When you see the plants are fully grown you can shift them to regular pots and continue with the regular care treatments.
Finally
Hope this article was interesting for you and now that you are much more confident in growing the Rebutia wessneriana plants.
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