Astrophytum myriostigma spots

Hey all.

I've been eyeing-off an OK astro at the local nursery, but I've been hesitating because it's been rubbed to the skin in several patches, obviously by folk experimenting with the texture of the surface.

Does the white spotting return over time, or should I just keep looking for that perfect specimen?

Im pretty sure it wont come back, but if its a decent price and healthy specimen(besides the rub patches) i would most likely buy it

Yeah once the flecking is gone, it never returns. They get kinda big and when they do they seem to lose it anyway. If your in it for the long haul, 20years will pass and you won't even remember.

If its a nice plant get it anyway. as prier says old specimen of A. myriostigma are prone to losing most of the flecks with age. so a currently 'perfect' individual will often inevitably get marked over the years anyway. Or, if you want an immaculate one you could grow a nude specimen and dispose of the problem for good!

p.s unfortunately fma. nudum specimens are very prone to sunburn due to the lack of flecks, which naturally provide sun protection in a normal plant. so unless you have perfect growing conditions and very careful handling skills some marking is likely to occur anyway.

Ask the nursery for a discount to take that 'old, bashed up' Astro off their hands...

watertrade wrote:

Ask the nursery for a discount to take that 'old, bashed up' Astro off their hands...

Hey, thats my trick too.

In my opinion it really depends on the sp. which you looking at.
If its a rare minature type I might hesitate but if its a more common variety then I wouldnt stress to much.
Like Prier said, if your in it for the long haul then I think it only adds character...
Would you happen to know what sp. the Astro is?

KanJe wrote:

Would you happen to know what sp. the Astro is?

maybe, just maybe, the sp. is the same as the title of the thread.

Hey, you're all supposed to be discouraging me! I have enough genera on my books already to keep me broke - I really shouldn't get into astros as well!



You're all leading me astray. Tsk, tsk...

Go for it, it will be the best choice you make all week!

Astrophytums are cute, addictive and really enjoyable. They are like malteeeeesers - you won't stop at one (says he who has 30+ different types...)

Go on and give one poor lonely asto a go!

yes, very addictive. very cool plants

Just buy it, you will sleep better at night, lol. That poor little plant all lonely looking for a home, go on you know you wanna get it, and I agree they are very cool plants!

Neat A.capricorne in your avatar Vicki

Thanks Lewis, haven't had it very long.

It's good size...If you are lucky it might even flower next season