Blooming cactus - Mediolobivia atrovirens

I was waiting for this one to open. I watched the bud to form and grow for a few weeks and I was checking every day so I dont miss it. And here it finally is!!

Mediolobivia atrovirens

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I have this little one for almost two years. Received it as a unrooted cutting. Tiny little thing it was. I planted it together with other cuttings in a community pot where they had enough room to start growing roots.
Last year it was already quite big, but it had some problems with bugs attacking it's growing tip. That's why there are some ugly marks on it and she has a bit of a wonky shape.

Earlier this year I split all the kiddos from the community pot and put them in separate, larger pots to suit their size. She started to grow really fast, but I didn't expect any flowers yet.
What a surprise I had when one day I saw a tiny, tiny bud on a side.

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Mediolobivia atrovirens also called Rebutia atrovirens is native to Bolivia and Argentina and can be found on 3000-4000 m above the sea level. It grows on rocks often hiding between some gasses. And here is a good advise I actually took from fellow orchid growers - knowing where the plant comes from and what are it's natural habitat is the key to successful growing. Only the info above tells me that it like to have dappled sun (growing on grass) and very fast, rocky substrate to grow. It can also withstand lower temperatures and big temperature differences between day and night (the elevation it grows on). If I manage to provide all that - I am sure she will be happy.

The cactus itself doesn't grow very big and the spines are very soft and flexible. The dark green body can turn more purple when stresses, usually when it gets too hot in summer.
It also has a fat tap root which is sensitive to overwatering, and can store water and nutrients for a longer period of time. Those tap roots often will shrink ( when the plant doesn't receive enough water or during the winter rest) and may pull the plant deeper to the ground. Looks like the cactus is hiding.
Besides the flowers you may spot a tiny little baby on the side. That is also a nice sign. With time they will create a nice clump. And the more little plants, the more flowers every year (that is if don't kill it in the meantime).

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_{You can see the little offshot on the left and two more buds next to the flower}

Some cacti bloom just for one day, some last few days. This one is on it's third day and still looking good. I was hoping to get some sun so the bloom would fully open, but the weather do not want to cooperate and it has been pretty cloudy and rainy for the past few days. Still decided to take some photos in case I don't get any sun later or the flower will fade.
I notices 3 more tiny buds. If they don't blast I might have a chance for a sunny photo shot.

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_{With roommates.}

My other blooming cacti:

_{Click on the image to view full post.}


_{Chamaecereus hybrid}	_{Sulcorebutia Canigueralii}	_{Mammillaria camptotricha}	_{Mammillaria Glassii}
_{Gymnocalycium baldianum}	_{Mediolobivia mudanensis}	_{Lobivia Arachnacantha}	_{Rebutia hybrid}
_{Mammillaria Bombycina}	_{Mammillaria Gracilis Snowcap}	_{Mammillaria haageana}	_{Mammillaria backebergiana}
_{Chamaecereus silvestrii}	_{Mammillaria prolifera}	_{Rebutia Fabrisii var. Aureiflora}	_{Lobivia Wrightiana}
_{Aylostera Flavistyla FR756}	_{Parodia concinna}	_{Mammillaria Copper King}	_{Gymnocalycium Brushii}
_{Mammillaria backebergiana}	_{Gymnocalycium damsii}	_{Echinopsis subdenudata}	_{Rhipsalis pilocarpa}
_{Mammillaria Prolifera}	_{Lobivia arachnacantha v. vallegrandensis}

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_{Shot with Nikon D5500 + Sigma 105mm lens

All photos and text are my own.}

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