Care of the cactus Ferocactus wislizenii or Arizona Barrel Cactus |
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The genus Ferocactus, family Cactaceae, comprises 30 species of large cacti native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Ferocactus wislizenii, Ferocactus stainesii, Ferocactus schwarzii, Ferocactus robustus, Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus latispinus, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus glaucescens, Ferocactus flavovirens, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Ferocactus alamosanus, Ferocactus gracilis, Ferocactus hamatacanthus, Ferocactus emoryi. Common names: Arizona Barrel Cactus, Southwestern barrel cactus, Candy Barrel Cactus, Fishhook Barrel Cactus, Compass barrel cactus. This species is native to Sinaloa and Chihuahua (Mexico) and to Arizona, Texas and New Mexico (USA). They are barrel-shaped, greyish-green cacti that reach 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height and 80 cm (2.62 feet) in diameter. They have 20-28 ribs; the areolas have 4 central spines 5 cm (1.96") long and 12-20 radial spines 4 cm (1.57") long. The flowers appear at the apex and can be yellow or red. They bloom from late spring to late summer. In Mexico the fruits are used to make sweets. They are used in pots, in rockeries and in gardens of cacti and succulents. They have a tendency to grow towards the southwest. The Ferocactus wislizenii needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. In winter the temperature should not be less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). They can grow in stony, sandy, or gravelly soils but are welcome to contain a little leaf mulch. Water very moderately because they have a tendency to rot; water little in spring and summer, very little in autumn and do not water in winter. They do not need pruning or fertilizers. They are plants very resistant to pests but sensitive to excess humidity. They propagate by seeds sown in spring. |
Images of the cactus Ferocactus wislizenii or Arizona Barrel Cactus |
 Ferocactus wislizenii  Ferocactus wislizenii |