Melocactus Azureus

- plants are 4 inch pot-sized, and shipped in its pot to prevent root damage -
 
Melocactus azureus has a natural range of the rocky limestone outcrops in Brazil. Pockets of subpopulations in nature can be made up of hundreds to even millions of individual cacti. However, agricultural land-clearing is impacting the native environments of Melocactus, inviting invasive species, and dwindling the number of this species in the wild.
 
Melocactus azureus is a widely popular variety of melocactus because of its attractive, "frosty blue" epidermis. Their spines are black to reddish, with flowers and fruit ranging in shades of pink.
 
Melocactus are some of the few species in which a cephalium begins to grow from the center growing end as the cactus reaches a mature size/age. The cephalium in azureus is characterized by typically brown wool.
 
Note that Melocactus Azureus has a reputation for being more difficult that others to cultivate. They are tropical cacti and not typically recommended for beginners. However, given approprate conditions, this cactus is a rapid grower. This plant has a weaker root system, which makes it less tolerant to repotting. It also needs good-draining soil in addition to a pot with good drainage.
 
Melocactus Azureus likes very bright light (not relentless levels though) and can bronze in the sun, stimulating flowering and heavy spine production. Watering this plant is also a balancing act, as they can not withstand soil that has been allowed to dry too much, yet also cannot soak up water from soil that is too wet. But yet again, this is a tropical cactus, needing a fair amount of water, with the allowence of the soil to dry quite a bit before the next watering.
 
Melocactus Azureus also are very intolerant to the cold! They need to be kept above temperatures from 46 - 54 degrees Fahrenheit at all times, or else risking damage or death of the plant. As a reference, our stock at Tucson Cactus & Koi are kept in the greenhouse during the winter months.
 
Fun fact: Melocactus (melon cactus) is a genus of cactus also referred to as Turk's head, Turk's cap, or Pope's head cactus, because of mature plant's distinctive cephalium!
 
[sourced from Llifle - Melocactus azureus and Wikipedia - Melocactus]