Ferocactus is very diverse. They can be elongated and round, large and small, flowering or not. A distinctive feature of the genus are beautiful multi-colored spines. It is because of them that flower growers decide to buy ferocactus. Ferocactuses in the photo look just fine, in the form of a scattering of small balls or one real giant. Miniature plants are gradually turning into real home giants. They occupy a central place in the room and are famous for their unpretentious character.
Plant description
Ferocactus is a perennial succulent from the Cactus family. It grows in the desert regions of Mexico and the southern United States. The plant has thick white roots. On average, the rhizome is located at a depth of 3-20 cm. The fleshy stem has a rounded or oblong shape. It is covered with a dense, shiny skin of a dark green or bluish tint.
Most plants form a single stem up to 4 m high and up to 80 cm wide. Strongly branched species are also found, forming entire colonies. On the surface of the stem are vertical ribs with a triangular section. Flat areoles are evenly distributed along the entire edge. They are covered with whitish pubescence and contain a whole bunch of sharp needles. Closer at the apex, the amount of fluff increases significantly. At the very top is a small soft depression.
There are up to 13 hooked needles in the areola. Some spines are thinner, while others have a wide, flattened base. The length of the spines is in the range of 1-13 cm.
The flowering period of ferocactus cacti falls in the summer months. However, indoor specimens rarely delight hosts with flowers. It is believed that an adult plant blooms in height from 25 cm. Flower buds are formed on the sides of the stem or on its apex. They have a short tube with a lot of scales. Oblong petals form a simple corolla of yellow, cream or pink flowers. The yellow core of the flower consists of many long anthers and ovaries.
After flowering, oval fruits with a dense, smooth skin are formed. In the juicy pulp are several shiny black seeds.
Types of Ferocactus
In the genus of ferocactus, 36 species are registered. Most of them can be found in culture.
Ferocactus Wislisen. The plant is impressive in size. Its single rounded or drop-shaped stem grows up to 2 m in height. On the trunk there are up to 25 embossed, high ribs. Bunches of brown needles 3-5 cm long are located in rare areoles. Each group of spines contains thin and straight, as well as 1-2 thick, twisted spines of a red or brownish tint. Yellow or red flowers with a diameter of 5 cm with a tube 4-6 cm long are arranged in the form of a wreath in the upper part of the stem. In the place of flowers, yellow oblong fruits 3-5 cm long ripen.
Ferocactus Emory. The dark green stem of the young plant has a spherical shape, but gradually stretches to a height of 2 m. Vertical relief ribs in the amount of 22-30 pieces are greatly narrowed. Long, thick and slightly curved thorns are painted in white, pink or red. Pinkish-yellow flowers with a diameter of 4-6 cm are arranged in groups at the top of the stem. The length of the yellow ovoid fruit is 3-5 cm.
Ferocactus latispinus or wide-needle. The plant has a bluish-green cylindrical stem with narrow and high ribs. The width of the stem is 30-40 cm. Wide spines are collected in radial bundles and painted in white or pink. Several needles are significantly thickened and flattened. They are directed strictly perpendicular to the stem. For such an unusual form of spines, this cactus is called the "damn tongue." At the top is a group of several red or purple buds. The diameter of the tubular bell is 5 cm.
Ferocactus horridus. Dark green with a yellowish base, the stem has a spherical or cylindrical shape. Its maximum height is 1 m and its width is 30 cm. Up to 13 sharp, slightly winding ribs are covered with rare bundles of short spines. 8-12 straight white needles are located radially, and in the center there are several thick hooked growths of red or burgundy flowers 8-12 cm long.
Ferocactus histrix. The rounded stem is covered with a bluish-green, slightly velvety skin. The height of an adult plant is 50-70 cm. Wide and high ribs are located strictly vertically. They are covered with rare areoles with white or yellowish thin needles. Up to a dozen radial spines grow 2-3 cm in length. In the center of the areola, there are 2-3 reddish-yellow shoots up to 6 cm long. Yellow bell-shaped flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm with a tube 3-4 cm long are located at the top of the stem. They seem to be on a soft pillow of pile. Long yellow fruits up to 2 cm long can be eaten. The pulp contains black matte seeds.
Breeding methods
To propagate cactus seeds, you must first soak them for a day in warm water. The ground for cacti is mixed with a lot of sand. The mixture is disinfected and moistened. Seeds are sown to a depth of 5 mm. The pot is covered with a film and left in a bright room at a temperature of + 23 ... +28 ° C. Every day the greenhouse is aired and moistened. Shoots appear within 3-4 weeks. After seed germination, the film is removed. At the age of 2-3 weeks, seedlings can be transplanted into separate pots.
Cuttings are cut from the lateral processes of adult plants. The place of cut is sprinkled with ash or activated carbon and dried in air for 3-4 days. For planting, use a mixture of sand with charcoal. The soil is slightly moistened and the cuttings are planted. A pot with seedlings is covered with foil or cans. After rooting, the shelter is removed and the plants are planted separately.
Transplant Rules
Ferocactus is transplanted as the rhizome grows. This is usually done in the spring every 2-4 years. For planting, use wide, but not too deep pots with large holes. At the bottom lay out a drainage layer. The soil should be slightly acidic, breathable. You can make a mixture of:
- river sand or sand chips;
- soddy soil;
- gravel
- sheet soil;
- charcoal.
Care Features
Caring for ferocactus at home involves the selection of a bright and warm place. Daylight hours should last at least 12 hours throughout the year. Direct sunlight and southern window sills are preferred. On cloudy days and in winter, the use of backlighting is recommended.
In summer, the air temperature can be in the range + 20 ... +35 ° C. In winter, the cactus needs to provide a cooler content at + 10 ... +15 ° C. Significant daily temperature fluctuations and drafts can lead to plant disease.
Ferocactus needs plentiful watering with soft defended water. Between watering, the soil should dry well. In winter, the earth is moistened no more than 1 time per month. Dry air is not a problem for the plant. It does not need spraying, but can tolerate a mild, warm shower.
Feeding ferocactus growing in fertile land is not necessary. When grown on depleted soil, you can feed the plant. In the warm season, half or a third of a portion of fertilizer for cacti is applied once a month.
Possible problems
Ferocactus with excessive watering and a sharp cold snap can suffer from root rot and other fungal diseases. It is almost never possible to save a plant, therefore it is important to always adhere to the correct regimen.
Sometimes aphids can be found on a plant. Wash off the parasites is problematic due to the thick spines, so it is better to immediately spray the stems with an effective insecticide.
