Parodia magnifica (Balloon Cactus)
Botanical Information
| Family | Cactaceae |
| Genus | Parodia |
| Species | magnifica |
| Category | Tropicals |
| Origin | Southern Brazil. |
Details
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 10b |
| USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone | Requires cool season protection under glass. |
| Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
| RHS Hardiness Zone | H2 |
| RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
| Temperature (°C) | 2 - 4 |
| Temperature (°F) | 35 - 40 |
| Height | 10 - 50 cm |
| Spread | 10 - 50 cm |
| Growth | Slow |
| Flowering Period | May |
Description and Growing Information
| Shape | Rounded to clumping. |
| Landscape | Patio and container plants |
| Propagation | Propagate by seed at 19 - 24°C in spring or summer. |
| Cultivation | Under glass in standard cactus compost. |
| Pests | Mealybugs and aphids. |
| Notable Specimens | Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Centennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. |
| Habitat | Dry rocky plains. |
| Bark/Stem Description | Smooth succulent flesh, ribs deeply pronounced with evident areoles. Thin hair-like spines are found in multiples of 3 -10 protrudeing from areoles. |
| Flower Description | Open funnel-shaped flowers appear at the apices of flowering bodies. |
| Colour Description | Globose deep green stems holding bristly yellow to yellowish-brown spines and topped with yellow funnel-shaped flowers. |
| Texture Description | Smooth flesh cover in spines. |
Photographs
Parodia magnifica, Form
Parodia magnifica, Areoles
Parodia magnifica, Spring
Parodia magnifica, Form (2)
Parodia magnifica, Maturity
Parodia magnifica, Seedling
Awards
