A young specimen. E. grusonii v. albispina  looks just like a regular golden
barrel but the spines are all white instead of yellow. Very pretty.

The juvenile Echinocactus look quite different from the mature specimens. In fact as the other Echinocactus and Ferocactus seedlings, the rib structure is not yet apparent, and they have pronounced tubercles making them look superficially like Mammillarias.

Scientific Name: Echinocactus grusonii var. albispinus

Origin:  Garden origin (Nursery produced cultivar)

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Culture: The cultivation of it would be similar to the golden variety.  Frost tender but resistant to very dry conditions, Cold hardiness increases with improved drainage, so keep plants as dry as possible in winter. They grow best in well-drained soil and a position in full sun, which will help to maintain the lustre of the spines and longevity of the flowers. Provide the plant with extremely well-drained soils, as the plant are subject to crown and soft rot if it remains too moist. Besides, it performs wonderfully in containers, Container media should be coarse as well. Young plants are prone to mealy bug and red spider mite. Propagate from cuttings or seed.

Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of Echinocactus grusonii:

• E. grusonii
• E. grusonii forma cristata
• E. grusonii "albispina"
• E. grusonii "brevispinus" (inermis cv. TOGENASHI KINSHACHI)
• E. grusonii "brevispinus" forma cristata
• E. grusonii "intermedius"
• E. grusonii cv. krauskopf (curvispinus)
• E. grusonii cv. krauskopf forma cristata
• E. grusonii minor cristata
• E. grusonii forma mostruaosa
• E. grusonii forma mostruosa cristata
• E. grusonii setispinus
• E. grusonii setispinus mostruosus cv. Scarascia forma minor mostruosa (cristata)