A. caput-medusae X A. miriostigma?

[Nino_G]

I stumbled upon this video on YouTube, thought I might share it with you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs6Z3H7Viyw
Astrophytum cultivar/hybrid - lovers will love it

[Hanazono]

I did a similar cross-pollination but I got a very different result.

Pollination was carried out in 2011.
Species 1: caput-medusae
Species 2: myriostigma v nudum

Pollen receiver X Pollen supplier
Case A: 1 x 2, it was told all seedlings were captu-medusae in this case and I did not do this case.
Case B: 2 x I, 10 of 3 myriostigma could make fruits but seeds in each fruit were 3~4.

Seeds were sown in 2012.
The germination rate was not good. Just 3 seeds were germinated in total, which have survived.

The photo is one of them. The cactus shows the flecking of caput-medusae, which is 9 cm in diameter.
This hybrid has grown very slowly. I have not seen any flower yet which means they may not be able to make any flowers.

[Nino_G]

Thank you for sharing your experience Hanazono.
I generally avoid cross-pollination for the purpose of making hybrids, but sometimes it happens naturally (I keep my collection outside and various insects visit in search for nectar). I have also observed that hybrid seedlings, in general, grow much slower than those of the pure species.
Best regards,
Nino

[MrXeric]

Those look like Astrophytum myriostigma 'Kikko' (=Kitsukou?) to me.

I crossed A. caput-medusae with myriostigma twice last year, all seeds failed to germinate. I did it again this year, but this time one seed germinated. It's about two months old now, but has yet to grow its first tubercle. I did other crosses too, A. myriostigma 'Onzuka' x caput-medusae, A. capricorne x caput-medusae, and A. caput-medusae x 'Onzuka' (from stored Onzuka pollen, there was also capricorne flowering at the same and I did not control for insects). I haven't sowed the seeds yet because I've been waiting for that last caput-medusae fruit to ripen. It's been two months now, and it's plump and red, but I am starting to doubt it will ripen before the winter.

[C And D]

I've been making successful crosses of Astrophytum caput-medusae
not sure of the species it crossed with, for sure not myriostigma

My first one was mystery cross from a batch of pure caput seeds, 2015

IMG_8586.jpg (43.54 KiB) Viewed 3895 times

I grafted it after a year

IMG_9094.jpg (101.05 KiB) Viewed 3895 times

It grows like crazy on it's own roots
named "Astrotopia"

IMG_0467.JPG (130.93 KiB) Viewed 3895 times

Since then, I have done all kinds of crosses
I mark the seed pods with a red felt pen to signify it's a cross rather than a pure species

IMG_0315.JPG (139.36 KiB) Viewed 3895 times

The seeds are normal looking caput seeds, that are big with small horns

IMG_0317.JPG (91.05 KiB) Viewed 3895 times

The seeds are a mix of selfed and crosses

IMG_0367 (1).JPG (84.17 KiB) Viewed 3895 times

This is a new one I grafted last year

IMG_1336.JPG (112.91 KiB) Viewed 3895 times

If you goggle astrophytum caput-medusae hybrid
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=5 ... 03&dpr=1.5

You get all kinds of cool looking things
most look different than mine

[Tom in Tucson]

I've been making successful crosses of Astrophytum caput-medusae
not sure of the species it crossed with, for sure not myriostigma

My first one was mystery cross from a batch of pure caput seeds, 2015
IMG_8586.jpg

I grafted it after a year
IMG_9094.jpg

I grows like crazy on it's own roots
named "Astrotopia"
IMG_0467.JPG

Since then, I have done all kinds of crosses
I mark the seed pods with a red felt pen to signify it's a cross rather than a pure species
IMG_0315.JPG

The seeds are normal looking caput seeds, that are big with small horns
IMG_0317.JPG

The seeds are a mix of selfed and crosses
IMG_0367 (1).JPG

This is a new one I grafted last year
IMG_1336.JPG

If you goggle astrophytum caput-medusae hybrid
https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=5 ... 03&dpr=1.5

You get all kinds of cool looking things
most look different than mine

Fascinating. Great visual evidence!

[Torro]

Sorry, there are no picturse to see?
And Jordi said: No way to create a hybrid of ACM. Just selfies.

[ossy96]

I did a similar cross-pollination but I got a very different result.

Pollination was carried out in 2011.
Species 1: caput-medusae
Species 2: myriostigma v nudum

Pollen receiver X Pollen supplier
Case A: 1 x 2, it was told all seedlings were captu-medusae in this case and I did not do this case.
Case B: 2 x I, 10 of 3 myriostigma could make fruits but seeds in each fruit were 3~4.

Seeds were sown in 2012.
The germination rate was not good. Just 3 seeds were germinated in total, which have survived.

The photo is one of them. The cactus shows the flecking of caput-medusae, which is 9 cm in diameter.
This hybrid has grown very slowly. I have not seen any flower yet which means they may not be able to make any flowers.

It is still alive? Very interesting hybrid! If it flowers you could make a nice cultivar!

[Hanazono]

G'morning ossy96,

It is still alive? Very interesting hybrid! If it flowers you could make a nice cultivar!

3 hybrids are still alive but I have never seen their flowers yet.

[ossy96]

Wow, amazing! the first one is the best, i hope one day will flower!