asterias section
Super Kabuto
When I first
saw this plant I laughed because of it's strange white dots and
it's incredible price. This plant was propagated from an
imported mutation in 1980. The mutation can cross with ordinary
Astrophytum asterias and the offspring look like that in the plant
pictured at left. Therefore, they increased rapidly in Japan.
Now, SUPER KABUTO forms come in many types, i.e., snow ball, zebra
patterned white dot, large white dot and so on. Of course, I love
them now.
This special form of Astrophytum asterias
is also a mutation, however, it is a distinct strain from Super
Kabuto with it's own genetic lineage. Only a small number of these
plants exist in Japan. The plant in the photo is one of the first
descendants from the original plants.
There are many distinct forms of Kabuto in
Japan which were produced by many famous Kabutophiles. In fact,
so many new forms have been introduced by Kabutophiles that no
one could enumerate all of them.Many of the photographed plants
on this page come from northern Japan. Of course, many other outstanding
Kabuto forms exist in other regions. Unfortunately, I have no
idea where one might purchase or obtain these beautiful Kabutos.
I suggest, however, that in the tradition of the Japanese Kabutophiles,
you expend the time and energy to create your own splendid Kabutos.
There are some remarkable Astrophytum asterias
in Japan. All are mutant plants that were found and selected from
a huge numbers of seedlings. Of course, excellent grafting skill
also has contributed to growing these mutations.
myriostigma section
Astrophytum myriostigma cv.'ONZUKA
This form was created somewhat by chance in Japan around 1974-1977.
Commercial sales of this plant began in 1979. Many years ago (perhaps
in 1970), Mr. Tsutomu Onzuka intended to cross three-ribbed A.
myriostigma with A. myriostigma var. nudum. Subsequently, over
several generations, he repeatedly backcrossed the offspring of
a three-ribbed A. myriostigma with a four-ribbed A. myriostigma
v. nudum. Finally, he obtained some strange A. myriostigma characterized
by many white dots. It has been called 'ONZUKA.' Words cannot
do justice to their distinctiveness.
Astrophytum myriostigma cv. "Koh-yo"
Koh-yo is a Japanese word and means yellow/red leaf in autumn
season. There are two colors for this name, red and yellow. These
species isn't a variegated one for vanishing its color in certain
seasons. I am not sure those period when their body color turn
to yellow or red. However They have a tendency of appearing such
colors in dormancy period.
Astrohytum myriostigma cv. "Kitsu-kow"
This Japanese word "Kitsu-kow" means a hexagonal (tortoiseshell)
pattern which is viewed from overhead. This form also has diverse
appearances, so many patterns are known nowadays. Besides, this
pattern appear combine with Koh-yo, Onzuka, Kabuto (A. asterias),
A. koahuilense and so on.
Other species
Every year some uncommon
Astrophyum species may be created.
