Gymnocalycium mihanovichii

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii
File:Gymnocalycium mihanovichii 2.JPG
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Core eudicots
Order:	Caryophyllales
Family:	Cactaceae
Genus:	Gymnocalycium
Species:	G. mihanovichii
Binomial name
Gymnocalycium mihanovichii (Fric ex Gürke) Britton & Rose
Synonyms
Echinocactus mihanovichii Fric & Gürke Gymnocalycium friedrichii (Werderm.) Pazout nom. inval.

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, often called chin cactus, is a species of cactus from South America commonly grown as a houseplant. The most popular cultivars are varied mutants which completely lack chlorophyll, exposing the red, orange or yellow pigmentation. These cultivars are often called moon cactus. Since chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis, these mutations die as seedlings unless grafted onto another cactus with normal chlorophyll.

Cultivars

File:Gymnocalicium mihanowichii Hibotan.jpg

Gymnocalycium mihanovichii, a mutant without chlorophyll, grafted on to a Hylocereus rootstock.

Gymnocalycium produces offsets pretty easily, even when grafted, and the offsets so produced can be grafted to a new base, perpetuating the plant. Even the best grafts only last a few years, as the base grows faster than the Gymnocalycium. After that point, the difference in speed between the two becomes too great for the graft to hold together, and the two split apart. However, you can regraft the scion back on to the rootstock after this.