Ferocactus peninsulae or Barrel Cactus

Care of the cactus Ferocactus peninsulae or Barrel Cactus

The genus Ferocactus, family Cactaceae, comprises 30 species of large cacti native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus latispinus, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus glaucescens, Ferocactus flavovirens, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Ferocactus alamosanus, Ferocactus schwarzii, Ferocactus hamatacanthus, Ferocactus emoryi, Ferocactus gracilis, Ferocactus stainesii, Ferocactus robustus, Ferocactus wislizenii.

Common names: Barrel Cactus, Pink Ferro-Cactus. This species is native to North West Mexico.

They are claviform cacti that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height and 40 cm (1.31 feet) in diameter. They have deep and sharp ribs with areoles 2 cm (0.78") in length where 11 radial spines and 4 central spines appear (the lower one is flat and hooked). The flowers are 3 cm (1.18") long and yellow with red tones. They bloom during the summer. The fruit is yellow, egg-shaped and 3 cm (1.18") long.

These slow-growing, low-maintenance cacti are used in cactus and succulent gardens, on rockeries, and in pots as indoor or greenhouse plants.

The Ferocactus peninsulae can be grown in full sun or light shade exposures; it needs a warm and dry climate. They resist light and occasional frosts if the substrate is dry.

The soil can be a mixture of 50% leaf mulch and 50% coarse siliceous sand. The transplant is done in spring.

They are extremely resistant to drought. Water moderately always waiting for the substrate to be completely dry. In winter do not water because the plant goes to rest.

Fertilize with a little compost in early spring.

They do not need pruning.

They can be attacked by fungal diseases if the humidity is excessive.

They propagate by seeds sown in spring; they germinate quite quickly.