Monk’s Hood – Astrophytum ornatum

Description

Astrophytum Ornatum goes by the common name Monks Hood. It is a cylindrical to columnar cactus that is star-shaped from above and has white bands of woolly scales. It is also known as the Bishops Cap. The plant has its origin in Mexico and belongs to the family of Cactaceae. Astrophytum Ornatum comes with a dormancy of winters and goes from about 12 to 18 inches in height.

Growth Rate

Astrophytum Ornatum is a slow-growing plant and the major factor that determines its growth rate is the local climate conditions of the environment.

Flowering

From pale pink to purple colored flowers, Astrophytum Ornatum best blooms in the summer season. An added advantage is that these flowers are scented.

Watering and Feeding

The plant needs moderate watering in summers and no watering at all in winters. Astrophytum Ornatum does not require fertilization. To give the soil a boost, it can be fed once during the growing season.

Soil

Astrophytum Ornatum should be planted in porous & fast-draining soil. Provision of good drainage with an open, sandy gritty cactus compost is ideal.

Hardiness

The plant grows best in winters, keeping in mind its frost tolerance of -4 C (24.8 F). It belongs to the hardiness zone of 9 to 10B.

Light

This plant needs direct sunlight and full sun exposure for them to grow in the best manner. At least 5 hours of direct sun daily is ideal.

Propagation

Astrophytum Ornatum can easily be propagated through its fragile seeds. Sowing the seeds in well-drained sandy soils anytime during the winter season is ideal.

Astrophytum Ornatum Monks Hood although large, is still a delicate and rare succulent that is ideal and sought after for decades now. With the right effort and dedication, they are the best bloomers and one of those plants that are pleasing to the eye.

Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz