Astrophytums enjoy near mystical status among some collectors. Even the common name of “bishop’s mitre” connotes the divine simplicity and elegance of this genus. In Japan extensive breeding has generated numerous choice selections and strains such as the one offered here. In the March – April, 2000 issue of the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Aikichi Kobayashi suggests that this strain originated from a cross of A. ornatum and A. myriostigma followed by successive backcrosses with A. ornatum. Displaying some of the best features of those species, seedlings are four- to five-ribbed, gradually adding more and developing barrel-shaped bodies to 6" or more in diameter, densely flocked with white trichomes. HBG 98572. $12.
Published in the Cactus and Succulent Journal, Vol. 81 (2), March - April, 2009