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. Ferocactus emoryi needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. It does 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. Emory's barrel cactus does not need fertilizers or pruning. Ferocactus emoryi is a plant resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess humidity. Traveler's friend is 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  Ferocactus emoryi  Ferocactus emoryi |