Family: Cactaseae
Scientific Name: Gymnocalycium saglionis (saglione) (Cels) Britton & Rose 1922
Common Name(s):
Giant Chin
Cactus
Origin: Argentina
Conservation Status: Listed in CITES
appendix 2.
Etymology: Gymnocalycium - Greek words Gymnos
meaning naked and Kalyx meaning bud. Saglionis - For the Frenchman who was
first to grow this plant in Europe.
Recommended Temperature
Zone: USDA: 9b-11
Description: Solitary
barrel cactus, up to 12
inches in diameter (30 cm),
slowly up to 3
feet tall (90 cm).
This is the giant among the Chin Cactus. Its size makes it an asset for
landscaping in area with a moderate climate. It is also occasionally misspelled
'saglione'.
Stem: Dull-green or blue-green,
Almost cylindrical more or les flattened up to 30 (40) cm in diameter, slowly
up to 90 cm
tall.
Ribs: 10-30
Spines: 3-4cm long, yellowish-brown ,
reddish or black becoming grey with time which contrast well against the green
body, 1-3 centrals and 10-15 radials bent against the stem.
Flowers: Pale pinkish white, with reddish throat up to 3-4 cm long, 2-3 cm in diameter, with a very short flower’s tube.
The
flowers have a hard time coming through the dense mass of spines.
Blooming time: Appearing
repetitively during the growing season. ..
Fruits: red,
globular.
Sun Exposure: Full sun
Water Needs: Little water when established
Cultivation: Keep this plant almost dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C, prefer a low
pH compost
otherwise growth
will stop altogether. The plant tolerate extremely
bright situations but are likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted
growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in
summer. Since they are big sized plants need plenty of space for their
roots, repotting should be done every other year or when the plant has outgrown
its pot.
This species makes a great landscape cactus in moderate climates
Min
Temperature 50°F (10°C)
Frost Tolerance: 20°F (-7°C)
Propagation Methods: Seeds
(It don't produces offsets)
Seed Collecting: Permit
fruit
to ripen,
fruit must be significantly overripe
before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
