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The “ Golden Barrel Cactus ” ( Echinocactus grusonii ) orhedgehog cactusis so - called because if you squinch at it and hold your mouth just properly , you may imagine it looks like a porcupine .
This beautiful cactus goes by a few other common names , including :
The popular Golden Barrel cactus has an likeable , pear-shaped shape and is covered with golden acantha and a few longer golden hairs at the top , which eventually develop into flower .
Echinocactus Grusonii Profile:
The Golden Barrel cactus is an easy - upkeep , racy industrial plant requiring little and has a good chance of thriving , even for very inexperienced nurseryman .
Here are its vital statistics :
Golden Barrel Cactus Care
What Are The Light & Temperature Requirements For Echinocactus Grusonii?
These sturdy desert plant like vivid sun and tender temperature . Moreover , the Golden Barrel Cactus needs at least 6 hours or more of verbatim sunlight per day to expand .
However , cooler temperatures ( to 50 ° grade Fahrenheit ) can be tolerate . Plants sustain in a tank setting tend to develop a barrel shape .
Younger Golden Barrel cacti should be kept in very bright , collateral sun . They will also require light tad day by day . In contrast , Mature flora can tolerate full Dominicus .
Placing it in a sunny window with southern exposure to supply its ask light .
What Is The Best Soil For The Golden Barrell Cactus?
barrel cactus grusoniicacti favor ironical conditions , so plant in well - draining soil . A standard cactus mix will do , or combine potting grunge and gumption and/or perlite 50/50 .
More in our clause : How To Make Cactus Potting Soil ‘ Recipe . ”
When implant outdoors , unify in some sand and/or small crushed rock into the grunge to help with drain . Be certain to constitute at a slight elevation so rainwater will incline off .
5 Tips For Success Planting Small Barrel Cactus Outdoors
Can Indoor Cactus Stay Outdoors In Summer?
The hedgehog cactus can continue outdoors year - round in domain where the temperature never drops below 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
In cool climates , if you want to set your potted cactus out for the summertime or transplant it into a garden bed for the summer , look until the nighttime temperature is consistently above 50 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
Remember to introduce your cactus to the outdoors bit by bit . set up the skunk outside in a sheltered mount , with filter sun , for a few hours a day .
bit by bit increase the time and move the flora into brighter , less sheltered preferences .
After a week or two , your cactus should be ready to stay out of doors for the natural spring and summertime months .
If you are go to transplant your barrel cactus plant life into the garden for the summer , be sure to give them plenty of space to arise .
honest atmosphere circulation is also important to facilitate keep problems with damp . An open , airy background also allows for the just exposure to sunshine .
call up , younger plants will not be able to digest the heat of the midday sun and full sun . attitude unseasoned plant so they get very shiny , collateral sun .
How To Overwinter Hedgehog Cactus?
From December through February , your cactus will appreciate a period of quiescence .
add your Golden Barrel cactus indoors to an area that has bright brightness level and a cool temperature . A unshakable 50o degrees Fahrenheit is honorable .
The temperature should never overleap lowly than 41o degrees Fahrenheit during the dormancy menstruation , and not for any extended periods of sentence .
water supply very little or not at all during the wintertime months .
Alternately , you’re able to keep your Echinocactus grusonii cactus as a houseplant during the wintertime months . Keep it in a undimmed setting at a comfortable way temperature . Water extremely sparingly .
Check frequently forhouse works bugs , as indoor preferences tend to make cacti more susceptible to insect infestation .
Is A Dormancy Period Necessary?
The Golden Barrel cactus naturally go dormant in the wintertime in the wild , so it is intelligent for them to have a period of sleep .
to boot , in matured flora , dormancy stimulates flower output in the spring .
How Do You Know When It’s Time To Repot?
Repotting is stressful for the Golden Barrel , so it ’s respectable to keep this activity to a minimum . Repot ( or remove ) your plant no more than once a year .
If you have a container cactus , do not plan to plant it in your outdoor gardens , and do n’t repot unless the plant has outgrow its pot .
How Do You Know Your Echinocactus Grusonii Is Too Big For Its Pot?
If you see potent roots jab out of the drainage holes or uprise above the grease ’s airfoil , it ’s a dead giveaway that your cactus needs repotting .
When repotting , be sure to gently houseclean all the old substrate off the mysterious root and practice fresh cactus soil to give your Golden Barrel plenty of nourishment and avoid problems with buncombe .
When clean house the roots , inspect them for signs of rot or price and cautiously cut away any insalubrious roots .
What Kind Of Pot Is Best?
Potted cacti run to do well in smaller grass . take a newfangled pot that is only an inch or so bigger than the old one .
Golden barrel cactus do better in smaller shallow pots ( azalea pots ) than taller ones .
How Much Water Does The Golden Barrel Cactus Need?
These course drouth - resistant cacti do well with longsighted water - spare periods than with frequent , light watering .
During the growing season , piss thoroughly and wait until the dirt dry out before water again .
From May through September , moderate tearing is called for . You should only water when the top three - quarter of an inch of the soil feel wry .
Starting in the calendar month of October , concentrate tearing to help your plant life prepare for the cooler winter months .
From November through February , water very sparingly or not at all as your plant will be in a period of dormancy .
In gain , verify to provide adequate drainage so that the excess water wo n’t accumulate .
Ensure the plant roots will not sit in excess body of water because soggy soil can lead to root rot .
Do Hedgehog Cacti Need Fertilizer?
Between themonths of May and September , you may provide a specially prepared cactus fertiliser about once every six weeks .
For an established plant , follow the manufacturer ’s instructions . If you have just repot the plant and it has fat , fresh soil , prepare the plant food at half intensity .
For cactus plant alfresco , mix in some seasoned compost into the filth once a calendar month instead of using fertiliser .
Golden Barrel Hedgehog Cactus Care Grooming?
This Golden barrel require no grooming or cut back other than hit fatigued flowers in the rare event yourcactus blooms .
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How Do You Propagate The Hedgehog Cactus?
Seed germination is the good and well-to-do way to get these cacti . Seeds are pronto useable online and at specialty nurseries .
Because the hedgehog cactus is so democratic , cactus poaching has been a problem and is considered now regard “ Endangered ” .
Be certain to purchase your seed or cactus from a reputable raiser who does not gather either in the state of nature . [ germ ]
How Do You Plant Cactus Seed?
When your little cacti are a match of inches mellow , transfer them to their own small pots with the wise , clean cactus mixture .
Related : More onPropagating Cactus flora
Are Golden Barrel Cactus Subject To Problems And Pests?
For the most part , these stout niggling troopers resist pestilence and pestilence .
The main problem for these and most cacti originate with overwatering and excessive fertilizing . If you tend to overeat in your plants , you may carry difficulty .
ancestor bunk will develop if you keep your soil too moist .
If you notice a musty look and/or the flesh of your cactus seems soft , move out the plant from its wet territory , trim off lenient , rotten parts , and forget the remaining plant unfastened to the air to dry out .
After several hour ( or overnight ) , place the plant in a clean , dry cactus mix . allow for just a very small amount of water , and be sure not to overwater in the future .
The three pests most likely to inconvenience the hedgehog cactus are :
These can be dealt with through commercial-grade insect powder or DIY methods .
Spider Mites On Golden Barrel
Spider soupcon are especially problematicwhen your flora is indoors for the winter . They are particularly fond of the warm , teetotal melodic phrase produced by indoor heat .
They can be hard to see on a cactus because they hide under the thorns and breastfeed the wet out of the plant .
probe your cacti regularly and quarantine any plants infest with spider hint or any other pest .
To kill off wanderer mites , you may spray your cactus exhaustively with water and rank the entire flora into a sealed plastic bag .
Put the plant in a ardent , vivid correct for about four Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . This treatment should kill off the wanderer mite because they can not tolerate high humidity . [ source ]
Mealybugs
Mealybug infestation may stimulate your plant life to turn browned . If you discover this problem , quarantine your plant and try founder it a thoroughgoing rinsing with clean water system .
Greenflies (Aphids)
Greenflies ( aphids ) cause dark dots ( mordant and/or brown ) on the green surface of your cactus . vernal cacti are specially subject toinfestation by aphid pest , which subsist by breastfeed the juice from plants .
greenfly regurgitate very promptly , so you must take action justly away if you see them .
Quarantine the affected plant and begin treatment immediately . Commercial pesticide will work , but they may stress your cactus .
To handle aphid greenfly , attempt spray your cactus with a 50/50 mixture of isopropyl alcoholic drink and water to kill the flies .
How Can You Avoid Pest Infestation?
Keeping the humidity level surrounding your cactus a little minute higher will help as all of these pests boom in the hot , dry , indoor winter melodic phrase .
haze over your cactus daily , or keep a humidifier nearby . Alternatively , you’re able to limit your cactus plant atop a pebble tray filled with water .
Do n’t lease the bottom of the plants ’ pots touch the pee . The estimate is to keep the air hydrated without getting the substrate soggy .
Are There Different Varieties Of Echinocactus?
The Hedgehog cactus is just one of six dissimilar species of Echinocactus that are all aboriginal to Mexico .
All of these cacti are rounded in shape and grow to be a couple of feet mellow and about a ft wide . you may recognize member of this genus by their multiple , wavy ribs .
The golden drum cactus is most commonly grown as an decorative plant because of its very attractive golden spines . This engrossing , well-off - care plant ( like othereasy - care cactus flora ) summate lasting colour and interest group to your cactus assembling indoors and outdoors .
