Brasilicactus ( = Notocactus ) haselbergii

Is a globose cactus approximately 10 cm wide and high, thickly spined, with its crown slightly inclined to the sunny side. The flowers occur early in spring and sometimes a second time at the end of summer. The original forms had bright red blossoms; yellow-flowered forms have since been introduced into cultivation. The cactus comes from southern Brazil; it is found on acidicrocks with moss and accumulated humus in cracks and on terraces. The closely related B. graessneri has golden-yellow spination and emerald-green flowers. Today authors place Brasilicactus in the genus Notocactus together with Malacocarpus ( = Wigginsia ) and Eriocactus. Cultivation is not diffucult : an acid humus-rich potting mix is suitable with ample watering during the period of growth; cooler overwintering at 8 - 10°C is required. It is easily propagated by seeds, which are tiny and the growth is slow in the first year. Maturing is speeded by grafting on Selenicereus, Hylocereus, Echinopsis or Eriocereus, etc.