Care of the cactus Ferocactus hamatacanthus or Turks Head |
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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 hamatacanthus, Ferocactus emoryi, 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: Turks Head, Mexican Fruit Cactus, Texas Barrel Cactus, Turks Head Barrel cactus, Turks Head Cactus, Viznaga Barrel Cactus. This species is native to northern Mexico and southern Texas. They are cacti with a globose body of bluish green or light green color that reach 30 cm (11.8") in diameter; they can produce suckers. They have 13-24 broad ribs in whose round areoles there are 8-20 radial spines up to 6 cm (2.36") long and 4 central spines that are reddish brown at first and then whitish. The attractive yellow flowers appear at the apex of the plant. Young plants can bloom. The fruits are red and ovoid in shape. They are used in pots for windows, balconies, terraces and patios when they are young; adult cacti are used in rockeries, on dry slopes, and in cactus and succulent gardens. The Ferocactus hamatacanthus needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. They do not resist temperatures below 3 ºC (37.4 ºF). The soil can be a mixture of 1/2 leaf mulch and 1/2 coarse siliceous sand. Transplant if the roots show through the base of the pot. Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting for the substrate to be completely dry. Water very little in autumn and do not water in winter. They do not need fertilizers or pruning. They are resistant plants to the habitual plagues and diseases but sensitive to the excess of irrigation. They are easily propagated from seeds sown in spring; the growth of new plants is relatively fast. They can also spread by separation of suckers. |
Images of the cactus Ferocactus hamatacanthus or Turks Head |
 Ferocactus hamatacanthus  Ferocactus hamatacanthus |