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Echinocactus grusonii forma cristata
Makes huge bright green wavy crest with gold spines.
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Description: The typical
Echinocactus grusonii
is a big globular cactus
(commonly known as
the "Golden barrel cactus")
that is very popular and widely grown for its golden-yellow striking
long, golden spines, but this beautiful crested form is still rare in
cactus collection. The crested form can
also get very big making a spectacular specimen.
Stem: Pale
green and heavily
ribbed with numerous
areoles sprouting
radial,
yellow spines.
Flowers: Produced from end of spring to summer only on larger
mature
specimens receiving enough
full sun. Flower are
diurnal,
vivid yellow (4-5 cm wide) and form a circular ring at the top of the
plant, but are not very visible being small in relation with the size of
the barrel, and lost into the creamy coloured
wool at the plant
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Cultivation: It is a fairly easy plant to grow both
grafted or in its own roots. During the summer it is best to keep the
plants outside where the temperature can rise to over 30 C with no harm
to the plant. Furnish good drainage and use a an open and free draining
mineral compost that allows therefore roots to breath. They like only a
short winter's rest and should be kept almost completely dry during the
winter months, If the soil is allowed to be dry for too long root loss
could follow but equally the same result would occur if the plants are
both wet and cold. From March onwards the plant will begin to grow and
watering should be increased gradually until late May when the plant
should be in full growth.
Water regularly during the summer so long as the plant pot is allowed to
drain and not sit in a tray of water. During hot weather you may need to
water the plants more frequently so long as the plant is actively
growing. From late September watering should be reduced to force the
plant to go in to a state of semi dormancy, by October you should be
back in to the winter watering regime.
Need full sun avoiding only the harshest summer sun, if kept too dark
they may become overly lush and greener and could be prone to rotting
due to over watering.
Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed
in summer only if the plant hasn't been repotted recently. Do not feed
the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which
can be fatal during the darker cold months. Grown
specimens resist to -4°C for a short time, but it is best to keep above
5° C to avoid ugly spots on the plant epidermis. Prefers a position in
full sun,
which will help to maintain the lustre of the spines. Besides, it performs
wonderfully in containers,
Container media
should be coarse as well.
Propagation: From
cuttings or
grafting on a large strong under-stock.
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