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Ferocactus pilosus
The Mexican fire barrel cactus is one of the most most spectacular
species in this genus.
Blessed with fantastic coral red spines. Notable white hairs on the
areoles with age.
After several (40/50) years plants can reach about 2 meter high.
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Description:
Clumping barrel/column cactus with thick red spines. Some plants
seem to be covered in fine white hairs, while others do not. In habitat
plants must be a great age.
Stem: Columnar deep green up to 2.4 m tall with several
subsidiary barrels growing from the main one.
Spines: Acicular bright red, will form white hairs on the areoles
with age.
Flowers: Yellow to red.
The 'pilosus' variety of F. stainesii with
additional wispy and hairy white spines is known as Ferocactus
pilosus. It appears also to have brighter red and bigger and
thicker central spines compared to more common variety.
USE:
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The Mexicans eat it's flowers as a dessert fried with the frying pan
with sugar.
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Accent plant: F. staineisii is a landscape bestsellers as it adds
character to monotonous surroundings with little effort. Frequently
planted close to the yellow spined
Echinocactus grusonii.
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Cultivation: Slow growing to start but does well
under cultivation. Use very
draining soil, water during the aestival growth cycle (this plant
need plenty of water) But needs to be avoided wetting the bodies
of these plants while they are in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun
light can cause sun burning which can lead to scares or even fungal
infections and death.
Likes bright light, but not too much direct sun.
Keep dry at 10°C in winter,
but can tolerate sporadic light frost.They
need to be moderately large before they flower and our largest seedling
plant which is about 20 cm in diameter has yet to oblige.
Reproduction:
Seeds are the only way of
reproducing.
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Family:
Cactaceae
(Cactus
Family)
Scientific Name:
Ferocactus pilosus (Galeotti ex. Salm-Dyck) Werdermann
1933
Basyonim: Echinocactus
Synonyms:
- Ferocactus
stainesii (Salm-Dyck) Britton et Rose 1922
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Echinocactus pilosus var. stainesii
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Echinocactus stainesii
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Ferocactus piliferus
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Echinocactus piliferus
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Ferocactus stainesii var. pilosus
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Ferocactus piliferus var. stainesii
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Echinocactus pilosus
Common Names:
Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus, Fire Barrel.
Origin:
It is widespread in north central Mexico (Nuevo Leon) and therefore is
somewhat variable
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
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This species is deservedly popular, may be the most spectacular
of the Ferocacti. It has some impressive red spine and
additional wispy hairy white bristles.
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Cultivation
and Mail Sale 
