Fertilizing
A little fertilizer will help your bishop’s cap cactus maintain healthy growth, but be careful not to overdo it.
Astrophytum cacti only need to be fertilized once a month during the growing season.
Choose a very gentle gentle product, such as Dr. Earth’s Succulence Cactus and Succulent Plant Food.
![A close up of a bottle of Dr Earth Succulence Pump and Grow pictured on a white background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Dr-Earth-Succulence.jpg)
![A close up of a bottle of Dr Earth Succulence Pump and Grow pictured on a white background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Dr-Earth-Succulence.jpg)
Dr. Earth Succulence
With an NPK ratio of 1-1-2, this fertilizer is mild and formulated specifically for cacti and succulents. It’s available in 16-ounce bottles from Arbico Organics.
Cultivars to Select
There are some fabulous cultivated varieties of A. myriostigma, but the straight species is also beautiful in its own right.
Let’s take a look at a few standout cultivars:
Fukuryu
‘Fukuryu’ is a cultivar of A. myriostigma known for its funky looking, randomly occurring creases and lines.
![A close up horizontal image of Astrophytum myriostigma 'Fukuryu' growing in a small pot pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukuryu-Bishops-Cap.jpg)
![A close up horizontal image of Astrophytum myriostigma 'Fukuryu' growing in a small pot pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Fukuryu-Bishops-Cap.jpg)
There are different forms of this cultivar – some have flocking that appears in stripes, some are almost ball shaped, and others are known for being fleck-free.
Kikko
‘Kikko’ is another cultivar of A. myriostigma that has many different forms.
![A close up horizontal image of a bishop's cap cactus in full bloom pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bishops-Cap-Cactus-in-Bloom.jpg)
![A close up horizontal image of a bishop's cap cactus in full bloom pictured on a soft focus background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bishops-Cap-Cactus-in-Bloom.jpg)
The defining characteristic of this cultivar are the horizontal furrows that crease the ribs, creating prominent tubercles.
Depending on the form, these tubercles can be rounded, crystal-like, or more washboard-like.
Onzuka
‘Onzuka’ is covered with a thick pattern of white flecks on the surface of the skin.
![A close up horizontal image of Astrophytum myriostigma 'Onzuka' growing in a small pot indoors.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bishops-Cap-Onzuka-Cactus.jpg)
![A close up horizontal image of Astrophytum myriostigma 'Onzuka' growing in a small pot indoors.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bishops-Cap-Onzuka-Cactus.jpg)
The pattern of the flecks varies, appearing sometimes like a sky full of snow or reptile scales. Or the flocking can be so thick it looks almost like the rind on a camembert cheese!
Propagation
A. myriostigma can be propagated in two different ways: sowing seeds and grafting.
We’ll describe both methods briefly, as well as providing directions for transplanting seedlings.
From Seed
While propagating cacti and succulents from seed is slow, requiring about a year from sowing to transplanting, it’s quite a fun project!
![A close up vertical image of a Astrophytum myriostigma bishop's cap cactus with a single flower pictured outdoors in light sunshine on a soft focus. background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bishops-Cap-Cactus.jpg)
![A close up vertical image of a Astrophytum myriostigma bishop's cap cactus with a single flower pictured outdoors in light sunshine on a soft focus. background.](https://gardenerspath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Bishops-Cap-Cactus.jpg)
And one that’s best undertaken in late winter to early spring.
Choose or create a mix that contains 80 percent gritty mineral ingredients such as coarse sand, fine pumice, or lava rocks, and 20 percent organic matter such as coconut coir, compost, or pine fines.
- First, blend the ingredients to make the seed starting growing medium.
- Fill pots or trays with growing medium to within an inch of the rims, then moisten it with water.
- On top of the growing medium, spread a thin layer of horticultural sand, roughly one third of an inch thick.
- Spread the seeds at least half an inch apart, then cover lightly with a sprinkling of sand then moisten the sand.
- Cover the pots with a plastic bag or cling wrap, or set them under a humidity dome. Keep the medium evenly moist.
- Maintain the temperatures at 80°F during the day and 70°F at night. If you don’t have a suitable location, you can always use a heat mat.
If the seeds are fresh, they will germinate quickly, within a few days. Give them a month, though, just to be safe.