A Leuchtenbergia-talány

Two seedlings are growing next to each other from the same fruit: one of them become infected by fungi, whereas the other lives without any damages - this example is one of the many interesting situations, the reasons of which is often an open question. A young Leuchtenbergia principis, bought in the spring of 2005 flowered in the same year - but never thereafter. This species require much heat, thus it is best to place right under the top of the cactus house. Nevertheless, the heat treatment was ineffective in making it flower. Another reason for the lack of flowering is the inadequate winter temperature. Nevertheless, the constant cold temperature in the cellar (6-8 °C) was also ineffective. On its natural habitat, this species grows on high carbonate containing soils, accompanied by other plants that may shade this. Nevertheless, this taxon requires a lot of sunshine. Plants are known to communicate to each other by volatile compounds, but there is no information whether it can affect the flowering. According to literature data, Leuchtenbergia principis only develops the longest thorns and opens its yellow flowers on a temperature higher than 30 °C. It can be cross-pollinated by Ferocactus species that crosses result strange hybrid plants in the collections.