Care of the cacti Echinocactus platyacanthus or Giant 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 platyacanthus, Echinocactus horizonthalonius, Echinocactus grusonii, Echinocactus texensis. Common names: Giant Barrel Cactus, Giant Biznaga, Large Barrel Cactus. This species is native to central and northern Mexico. They are globular cacti that lengthen with age and reach 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) in height and 1 meter (3.28 feet) in diameter. They are grayish green with reddish tones and have 8 ribs in their youth (50 when they are adults), straight, rounded and wide. They have woolly areolas and the upper part of the plant. They have 8 radial spines and a central one. The flowers are yellow and appear grouped at the apex of the cactus. They bloom from late spring to mid-summer. These slow-growing plants are used in pots, on rockeries, in groups, and in gardens for cacti and succulents. The Echinocactus platyacanthus prefers intense sun exposure except in its youth that it prefers light shade. In winter they should not be exposed to less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 50% coarse siliceous sand and 50% leaf mulch. The transplant is done in early spring. Water regularly in summer waiting for the soil to be dry. In winter do not water as they go to rest. They do not need fertilizers or pruning. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess humidity. They propagate by seeds in seedbeds with a slightly humid sandy substrate because they do not usually produce suckers. |
Images of the cacti Echinocactus platyacanthus or Giant Barrel Cactus |
 Echinocactus platyacanthus  Echinocactus platyacanthus |