|
Sclerocactus whipplei SB471 Apache
County, Arizona, USA |
|
|
|
 |
Cultivation:
Rarely seen in cultivation, needs perfect
drainage, it is quite difficult to grow on its
own roots and to propagate.
Mature individuals easily rot and die.
It is indispensable to provide a greenhouse with good ventilation and a
full sun exposure. Keep totally dry during winter; it can tolerate
temperatures below zero (-20° C).
Plants grafted on
hardy Opuntia compressa stock are quite easy to grow and no special
skill is required. In the spring fertilize
periodically, adding a specific fertilizer. Fertilizers for succulent
plants must be rich in potassium, but poor in nitrogen, to avoid the
plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by
fungal diseases. Water moderately during the growing season, keeping the
soil dry for a few days before watering again.
|
Propagation:
Seeds are extremely difficult to
germinate (only 2-3 percent of seeds
germinate) The
germination is really difficult and if some
seedling
finally sprout, as they start to grows they disappear one by one. Grafting is often used to speed growth rate and to
create a back-up for plants in collection. |
|
Photo of conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and
cultivars of Sclerocactus whipplei.
 |
|
|
Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family) |
|
Scientific name:
Sclerocactus whipplei (Engelmann et
Bigelow)
Britton & Rose
Published in: Cactaceae, 3:213, 1922.
Type:
Bigelow s.n., Dec.3, 1853, MO. Colorado Chiquito (according to L.Benson,
1982) at Lithodendron Wash, a tributary of the Rio Puerco River, near
the Colorado Chiquito, near Petrified Forest National Monument (MO;
Isotype POM 317813).
Origin: This plant occurs in
Northern Arizona and at one location near Bluff, Southeastern Utah.
Elevation Range: 1,500 to 2,500 meters.
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Common Name comprise: Whipple's
fishhook cactus, Whipple's Cactus
Synonyms:
- Echinocactus whipplei Engelmann et Bigelow
In: Proc. Amer. Acad.3:271, 1857 (reprint 1856); US
Senate Rept. Expl. & Surv. R. R. Route Pacific Ocean. Botany. 4:28
pl.1, 1857.
- Ferocactus whipplei
- Pediocactus whipplei (Engelmann et Bigelow) Arp
In: Arp, Cact. & Succt. J. (US) 44:222, 1972.
- Sclerocactus whipplei var. pygmaeus Peebles
In: Leafl.
West. Bot.5:192, 1949.
|
|
|
|
Cultivation
and Mail Sale 
