Care of the cacti Echinocactus grusonii or Golden barrel cactus |
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The genus Echinocactus, family Cactaceae, comprises 6 species of cactus native to Mexico and the Southwest of the USA. Some species are: Echinocactus grusonii, Echinocactus texensis, Echinocactus platyacanthus, Echinocactus horizonthalonius. Common names: Golden barrel cactus, Golden ball, Mother-in-law's cushion. This species is native to east-central Mexico. They are cacti with a spherical shape and an intense green color that reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in height. They have prominent ribs and marked areoles. The strong spines are curved and reddish or yellowish in color. The flowers last 3 days and can be yellow or red. They bloom in summer. They are used in pots as a houseplant, on balconies and terraces and even in gardens with a Mediterranean climate, forming groups with columnar cacti. The Echinocactus grusonii needs a very sunny exposure and temperatures that are never below 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 50% coarse sand and 50% leaf mulch. Transplant in spring if necessary. Water moderately during the summer, very little in spring and autumn and do not water in winter. Fertilize in summer every 15 days with mineral fertilizer for cacti. They are sensitive plants to Botrytis, a disease produced by fungi if there is excess humidity. They propagate by seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the cacti Echinocactus grusonii or Golden barrel cactus |
 Echinocactus grusonii  Echinocactus grusonii  Echinocactus grusonii  Echinocactus grusonii  Echinocactus grusonii inermis  Echinocactus grusonii inermis |