Care of the cacti Echinocereus rigidissimus or Arizona Rainbow Cactus |
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The genus Echinocereus, family Cactaceae, includes some 50 species of cacti native to Mexico and the USA. Some species are: Echinocereus rigidissimus, Echinocereus cinerascens, Echinocereus pentalophus, Echinocereus sciurus, Echinocereus pectinatus, Echinocereus blanckii, Echinocereus baileyi. Common names: Arizona Rainbow Cactus, Arizona Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus, Sonorian Rainbow Cactus, Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus. This species is native to Chihuahua and Sonora (Mexico) and Arizona (USA). They are cacti with a cylindrical green stem that reach 18 cm (7.08") in height. In the areoles of the tubercles they have 30-35 radial spines 5 mm (0.19") long and purplish red. They do not have central spines. The showy flowers up to 9 cm in diameter are pink with a white center. They produce spiny ovoid fruits of pink color. They are used in rockeries, in cactus and succulent gardens and in pots for patios, terraces, balconies and windows. The Echinocereus rigidissimus needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. The temperature should not be lower than 5 ºC (41 ºF). They will grow in any well-drained soil such as a commercial cactus potting mix or a mixture of equal parts coarse sand and leaf mulch. Water moderately at a rate of once every 15 days in spring, every 7 days in summer and every 20-25 days in autumn. Do not water in winter. Fertilize with mineral fertilizer for cacti once in spring and again in early summer. They do not need pruning. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess watering. They are easily propagated from spring sown seeds. |
Images of the cacti Echinocereus rigidissimus or Arizona Rainbow Cactus |
 Echinocereus rigidissimus  Echinocereus rigidissimus  Echinocereus rigidissimus  Echinocereus rigidissimus  Echinocereus rigidissimus |