Family: Cactaceae
Scientific name: Blossfeldia liliputana
Common name: Blossfeldia
Origin: Northwestern Argentinia

With a maximum size of 10-12mm this is the smallest cactus in the world. The bulb shaped plants grow in rock crevices near waterfalls and usually grow attached to each other in clumps. They occur at heights of 1200-3600 metres and prefer relatively cool temperatures; ± 5-10 degrees Celsius in winter and ± 20 degrees in summer. They are very tolerant to drought, but grow best when they also get enough water in summer (without getting too wet!). Make sure to provide this species with a well draining soil, consisting of gravel and sand so that the soil can dry easily.

Sowing description: Sow the seeds very superficially in a mix of sand and sowing mix(1:1). Moisten the soil lightly and cover with plastic or glass. The soil should not be watered again until germination, so make sure to add sufficient water and that it cannot evaporate through the cover. Place the container in a sunny or warm spot to get a temperature of 20-25 degrees for germination. When the seeds have germinated you can occasionally carefully spray them with water. After a few months you can remove the cover, but continue with watering by spray for at least 2 years. After that time, you can water the cactus 'normally' with a watering can.

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Challenge
Minimum temperature: 5 degrees Celsius