Giant Chin Cactus

Gymnocalycium saglionis 

jim-no-kal-LISS-ee-um  SAG-lee-oh-nis

Synonyms of Gymnocalycium saglionis (9) (Updated 12-7-23 from Plants of the World Online): Brachycalycium tilcarense Backeb., Echinocactus hybogonus Salm-Dyck, Echinocactus saglionis Cels, Gymnocalycium saglionis var. australe H.Till, Gymnocalycium saglionis f. columnare H.Till, Gymnocalycium saglionis var. jujuyense Backeb., Gymnocalycium saglionis var. minus H.Till, Gymnocalycium saglionis f. splendens H.Till, Gymnocalycium saglionis subsp. tilcarense (Backeb.) H.Till & W.Till

Gymnocalycium saglionis (F.Cels) Britton and Rose is the accepted scientific name for this cactus. It was named and described as such by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in Cactaceae in 1922. It was first named Echinocactus saglionis by François Cels in Portefeuille des Horticulteurs in 1847.

Possibly Gymnocalycium saglionis subsp. tilcarense (Backeb.) H.Till & W.Till. This subspecies was named and described as such by Hans Till and Walter Till in Gymnocalycium in 1997. It was first named and described as Brachycalycium tilcarense by Curt Backeberg in Jahrbuch der Deutschen Kakteen in 1941. The subspecies is listed as a synonym of the species by Plants of the World Online.

The genus, Gymnocalycium Pfeiff. ex Mittler, was first named and described by Louis (Ludwig) Karl Georg Pfeiffer but the name was not validated. Then Ludwig Mittler described the genus using Mr. Pfeiffer’s description, giving him credit, in Taschenbuch für Cactusliebhaber in 1844.

As of 12-7-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 66 species in the Gymnocalycium genus. It is a member of the Cactaceae Family with 150 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AND GROWING RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.

I brought this plant home from Lowe’s on March 29 in 2019. The label stated it was a Gymnocalycium saglione but that is an incorrect spelling. It is, in fact, Gymnocalycium saglionis. It is from Altman Plants and I was glad to find one without the “strawflower’ hot-glued to the top.

It was in an 11 oz. (3 1/2” diameter x 3 1/4” tall) pot. The plant measured approximately 1 1/8″ tall x 2 5/8” wide without the spines.

The label states:

“Gymnocalycium saglione, native to Argentina, forms flattened globes to 10” in diameter. Grayish-green globular cactus with elliptical areoles and recurved spines. Flowers are 2” diameter and white. Must be quite mature to flower. Protect from frost. Provide filtered light; hardy to 32F; to 10” tall. Water thoroughly when soil is dry.”

Since this plant is small, it has 1-3 nearly straight central spines depending on where you look, and 7-8 recurved radial spines. Llifle says the species has 1-3 central spines and 10-15 radial spines. The felted areoles sit on top of strangely large and globose-looking tubercles. The subspecies Gymnocalycium saglionis subsp. tilcarense has longer spines and larger tubercles than the species. I haven’t seen the species in person, but my plant appears to have large tubercles and fairly long spines. So, it could possibly be the subspecies.

According to the Llifle (Encyclopedia of Living Forms) website, this plant needs a low pH soil or will stop growing. They tolerate bright light but can suffer from stunted growth and sun scorch if overexposed to direct sun during the hottest part of the day during the summer. Click on the link to Llifle below for further information.

I decided I needed to put this cactus in a larger pot on June 19. Not only had it outgrown its pot, but there was also a lot of excess potting soil around it.

It is quite happy now in its new pot. I used about 50/50 Miracle Grow Potting Soil and pumice. I used to use 2 parts of good potting soil with 1 part perlite and 1 part chicken grit. Pumice takes the place of both perlite and chicken grit plus contributes added nutrients to the soil.

I really like this cactus…

I had to move the potted plants inside on October 11 because an “F” was in the forecast. I always take photos of the plants and measure the cactus and some of the succulents. At the time, this plant measured 2 3/4″ tall x 2 7/8″ wide. It measured approximately 1 1/8″ tall x 2 5/8” wide when I brought it home on March 30.

What can I say? I like photographing this plant…

This seems to be a very happy cactus and easy to grow as long as you follow a few basic rules. Bright light, very well-draining potting soil, water when dry during the summer and barely ever in the winter (like maybe once in the middle). I just make sure they have a good drink before I bring them inside.

<<<<2020>>>>

I had to bring in the potted plants inside for the winter on October 15 because an “F” was in the forecast. As always, I took photographs and measurements. The Gymnocalycium saglionis did well during the summer and has grown to 2″ tall x 3 3/8″ wide (not including the spines).

<<<<2021>>>>

Hmmm… I need to take new photos of this one because its spines are definitely not red! Anyway, the Gymnocalycium saglionis did great over the summer and grew 3/8″ taller to 2 3/8″ wide x 3 1/2″ wide. I really like this plant.

The G. saglionis has been a great plant and it has no issues. Not a single blemish anywhere. I just have to have a talk with it when I take new photos… Well, I read where the spines are red when they are wet. While, yes, the cacti were wet when I took their photos on the 28th, this plant’s spines only looked red in the photo…

<<<<2022>>>>

Well, I had to bring the potted plants inside for the winter on October 16 in 2022 because an “F” was in the forecast. The Gymnocalycium saglionis did very well over the summer and grew to 2 3/4″ tall x 3 3/4″ wide. The cacti were on the front porch with the succulents over the summer instead of on the back porch.

I really like this cactus and was glad to find a Gymnocalycium baldianum (Dwarf Chin Cactus) at Walmart on December 2, 2020. It died over the summer in 2021.

USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Argentina
Zones: USDA Zones 9b-11 (25-40° F)
Size: Approximately 11-16″ diameter x 6-12″ or taller 
Light: Sun to part shade
Soil: Very well-draining soil. Potting soil amended with pumice or chicken grit and perlite
Water: Regular watering during the summer. Very little in winter if any.

<<<<2023>>>>

Even though there was no “F” in the forecast until October 30, it was going to be a rainy week so I moved the potted plants inside on the 23rd and 24th. Time for photos and measurements… 

The Gymnocalycium saglionis did very well during the summer on the back porch in full sun despite the heat and drought. It measured 2 5/8” tall x 3 1/2″ wide when I moved it inside for the winter.

You can read my Cactus Talk & Update and Cactus & Succulent Tips to get my opinion about growing cactus and succulents.

When you bring your new plants home from the store, you need to check their roots and the soil to se if they are wet. If so, you may want to go ahead and re-pot. It is advisable to re-pot them in a better potting soil more suitable for cactus and succulents.

I hope you enjoyed this page and maybe found it useful. I would like to hear from you if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions. Please click on “like” if you visited this page. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. 🙂 You can check out the links below for further reading. The links take you directly to the genus and species of this plant.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
LLIFLE (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF LIVING FORMS)
(SPECIES/SUBSPECIES)
DAVE’S GARDEN (SPECIES/SUBSPECIES)
CACTIUIDE (GENUS/SPECIES)