About

Eriosyce subgibbosa, commonly known in Spanish as cacto rosado, quisquito, or quisquito rosado, is a species of succulent flowering plant in the genus Eriosyce, within the family Cactaceae. It is endemic to central Chile, and it is one of the few species in its genus that form cylindrical stems.

How to grow it

Eriosyce subgibbosa is cultivated mainly as an ornamental. It grows slowly and during the summer; this makes it relatively easy to cultivate provided that its environmental requirements are met. Its xerophilic nature makes it sensitive to overwatering, especially in poorly-ventilated environments.

This species requires a mineral substrate which is sandy and very porous with excellent drainage. It grows best in intense full sun, although it can tolerate some slight shading; insufficient lighting leads to weak, etiolated growth. It is very heat-tolerant and needs moderate watering during the summer; one must do this with caution, as adult specimens are susceptible to rot, especially after being transplanted. During the winter, it should be kept completely dry.

Where it grows

Eriosyce subgibbosa is native to central Chile, specifically to the regions of Biobío, Maule, O’Higgins, Valparaíso, Coquimbo, and Atacama. It is endemic to coastal areas, and is found from the Hualpén Peninsula in the Biobío region north to the Huasco river valley in the southern Atacama region.

Other Eriosyce plants

Eriosyce chilensis · Eriosyce crispa · Eriosyce curvispina · Eriosyce paucicostata · Cactus · Eriosyce