Ferocactus glaucescens or Blue Barrel Cactus

Care of the cactus Ferocactus glaucescens or Blue Barrel Cactus

The genus Ferocactus, family Cactaceae, comprises 30 species of large cacti native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Ferocactus glaucescens, Ferocactus flavovirens, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Ferocactus alamosanus, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus latispinus, Ferocactus schwarzii, Ferocactus hamatacanthus, Ferocactus emoryi, Ferocactus gracilis, Ferocactus stainesii, Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus robustus, Ferocactus wislizenii.

Common names: Blue Barrel Cactus, Glaucous barrel cactus. This species is native to Eastern central Mexico.

They are slow-growing cacti with a globular body that reach 40 cm (15.74") in height and 20 cm (7.87") in diameter. They are bluish-grayish green in color. They have 11-15 ribs with areoles 1 cm (0.39") apart. They have 6 radial spines of yellow color, 4 cm (1.57") long, erect and striated; they may have one or no central spine. The flowers are yellow, 3 cm (1.18") long, and appear at the apex of the plant. They bloom from mid-spring to late summer; they do not flower until they reach 13 cm (5.11") in diameter.

They are used in rockeries, in cactus and succulent gardens and in pots for balconies, terraces or patios.

The Ferocactus glaucescens needs full sun exposure and high temperatures. They resist the cold up to 5 ºC (41 ºF).

The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a mixture, in the same proportions, of leaf mulch and coarse siliceous sand.

Always water moderately, waiting for the substrate to be well dry. Do not water in winter; stop watering in late fall and re-water in early spring.

They do not need pruning or fertilizers.

They are very resistant to pests but sensitive to fungal diseases caused by excess humidity.

They propagate by seeds sown in spring or by separating suckers from the base if the plant produces them.