Echinopsis mamillosa var. kermesina [ek-in-OP-sis, mam-il-LOH-suh], sometimes called Lobivia Kermesina [Low-BIV-ee-uh Ker-mes-SY-nuh], is native to Bolivia and are strong growers and heavy mass bloomers while growing in a variety of soil mixes and light well.
It belongs to the family Cactaceae and the genus Echinops.
Under ideal conditions, this Echinopsis cactus will sprout flowers during the summer merely 3” inches in width, which opens up during the nighttime and typically last for not more than 24 hours.
Echinopsis Mamillosa Care
Size & Growth
Echinopsis Kermesina has a solitary growing habit.
Its globe-shaped stems can grow up to 12” inches tall and 3” inches in diameter.
Its stems are dark green and include around 17 deep ribs fashioned in tubercles with yellowish spines.
Flowering and Fragrance
The flower blooms can vary from pinkish to carmine colors.
They are big compared to the stems’ diameter and can grow about 7” inches long and 3” inches across.
Light & Temperature
Like many other types of succulents and cacti, Lobivia Kermesina loves strong light during its growing stage.
It’s best to place the plant outdoors but gradually introduce it to direct sunlight to avoid scorching.
During winters, southern exposure is ideal.
It can handle temperatures between 73° to 83° degrees Fahrenheit (23° C – 28° C) during the daytime and between 68° to 72° degrees Fahrenheit (20° C – 22° C) during nighttime.
Watering and Feeding
If you have grown other succulents and cacti, then growing this plant won’t be any trouble.
Just like other cacti plants, this plant prefers dry spells during watering. To an extent, they might start wilting slightly.
However, when you water, make sure to water deeply. You will notice the plant plumping up.
Leaving the cactus exposed to sitting water and prolonged dampness will not benefit the plant.
Before you water, touch the soil to ensure it’s dry.
This will be typically after 7 to 10 days from the last watering.
You shouldn’t water Lobivia Kermesina every day.
Water this plant more during summer and spring and less during the winters.
It’s best to underwater this plant than overwater it.
Fertilizer should be added in the growing seasons.
Soil & Transplanting
It’s ideal to have cactus soil matching the plant’s moisture requirements.
This helps in dictating the drainage and regulating the supply of nutrients.
The soil type should be coarse, and there should be sufficient drainage.
The ideal soil mix for Lobivia Kermesina is one part soil and two parts sand.
Sand creates sufficient drainage for all succulents and cacti.
Grooming and Maintenance
Your home temperature would be enough for properly maintaining the Lobivia Kermesina throughout the year, which is why it’s an ideal house plant.
However, it can handle cooler conditions during the winter, typically referred to as a rest period.
Cool basements and window sills with bright light are good spots for this plant.
This plant needs porous soil and good drainage.
It’s best to keep it pretty dry during the winters.
It’s extremely resistant to frost if the plant is dry.
Give it half shade or full sun during the summer as it prefers bright exposure.
You would have to feed it in the summer with a fertilizer high in potassium.
How To Propagate Lobivia Cactus
This plant is a summer grower and doesn’t lead to any difficulties during the cultivation process.
Root this plant easily from its offers huddled around the mother plant’s base.
All you need to do is to snip off the offsets closer to the stem at a narrow place.
Make sure you let the cuttings dry out with the help of a paper towel when rooting with cuttings.
In a few weeks or even days, as per the cut surface size, the cut surface will dry out, and a callous will be formed, or you might notice a rough opening.
After the callous formation, you should put the cutting in a fast-draining soil rooting mixture to allow it to grow.
Echinopsis Pest or Disease Problems
This plant can resist numerous pests, but be on the lookout for Falcifer ground mealy bags.
It’s fairly easy to manage and grow if you don’t overwater it.
However, Lobivia Kermesina can experience a few disease problems, including yellow fungus, fungal wilt, bacterial diseases, bacterial wilt, fire blight, and basal rot.
Suggested Echinopsis Kermesina Uses
Lobivia Kermesina is typically used as a houseplant.
It looks wonderful both indoors and outdoors as part of a breathtaking landscape.
It is also utilized in hybridization and is one of the crucial elements of certain Echinopsis hybrids.
It usually lends its flower structure to other hybrids.