Origin and Habitat: Gymnocalycium ochoterenaeSN|13754]]SN|13754]] var. scoparium grows in a small area west of Quines at the base of Lujan mountains, San Luis, Argentina.
Altitude range: 550-650 metres above sea level.
Habitat and ecology. This species favours shady spots.

• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. scoparium H.Till & Neuhuber

• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae Backeb.
• Gymnocalycium intermedium Piltz non Hildm.
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. albiflorum Lukašik
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. albispinum hort.
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. cinereum Backeb.
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. longispinum Lukašik
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. polygonum Backeb.
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. scoparium H.Till & Neuhuber
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. tenuispinum Backeb.
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. unguispinum hort.
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. variicolor hort.
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. variispinum Backeb.

• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae subs. vatteri (Buining) Papsch
• Gymnocalycium vatteri Buining
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae subs. vatteri var. altautinense Papsch
• Gymnocalycium ochoterenae var. altautinense Papsch
• Gymnocalycium vatteri var. altautinense (Papsch) V.Gapon

Description: Gymnocalycium ochoterenaeSN|13754]]SN|13754]] var. scoparium is at most a race of Gymnocalycium ochoterenaeSN|13754]]SN|13754]]. The key difference by which the two were separated, namely the presence of longer interlaced light coloured brushy spines, longer spherical stems, and most prominent tubercles, seems entirely spurious.

Cultivation and Propagation: Gymnocalycium ochoterenaeSN|13754]]SN|13754]] var. scoparium is a summer grower species that is easy to cultivate.
Growth rate: It is a slow growing but easily flowering species.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil. Prefer a low pH compost, avoid substrata rich in limestone; otherwise growth will stop altogether.
Repotting: This plant needs plenty of space for its roots, repotting should be done every other year or when the it has outgrown its pot. Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings in summer, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter at a minimum temperature of 0°C.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Hardiness: Reputedly resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -5 C ° C, or less for short periods).
Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production, but is likely to suffer from sun scorch or stunted growth if over exposed to direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day in summer.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing.