Care of the cactus Ferocactus emoryi or Emory's barrel cactus |
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The genus Ferocactus, family Cactaceae, comprises 30 species of large cacti native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Ferocactus emoryi, Ferocactus hamatacanthus, Ferocactus wislizenii, Ferocactus stainesii, Ferocactus schwarzii, Ferocactus robustus, Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus latispinus, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus glaucescens, Ferocactus flavovirens, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Ferocactus alamosanus, Ferocactus gracilis. Common names: Emory's barrel cactus, Traveler's friend, Coville's barrel cactus. This species is native to northwestern Mexico and Arizona. They are cacti with a globular body (columnar with age) of bluish gray color that reach more than 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height and 60 cm (1.96 feet) in diameter. The marked ribs are up to 5 cm (1.96") high and have large circular areolas. The radial spines are white or red in color and the large central spine (up to 10 cm/3.93" in length) is first red and then whitish. The showy red and yellow flowers are 5 cm (1.96") in diameter. They produce egg-shaped fruits. These slow-growing plants are used in pots for balconies, terraces and patios when they are young; adult plants are used in rockeries and in gardens for cacti and succulents. The Ferocactus emoryi needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. They do not resist temperatures below 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 1/2 leaf mulch and 1/2 coarse sand with volcanic gravel. Transplant when the roots appear below the pot. Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting until the substrate has completely dried. Water once a month in autumn and do not water in winter. They do not need fertilizers or pruning. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess humidity. They are easily propagated from seed sown in spring but new plant growth is slow. |
Images of the cactus Ferocactus emoryi or Emory's barrel cactus |
 Ferocactus emoryi  Ferocactus emoryi |