Care of the cactus Thelocactus nidulans or Bird's-nest Cactus |
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The genus Thelocactus, family Cactaceae, comprises about 10 species of cacti native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Thelocactus nidulans, Thelocactus lophothele, Thelocactus conothelos, Thelocactus hexahedrophorus, Thelocactus bicolor, Thelocactus setispinus. Common name: Bird's-nest Cactus. Scientific synonym: Echinocactus nidulans. This species is native to Coahuila, Mexico. They are cacti with a bluish-green semiglobular solitary body that reach 10 cm (3.93") in height and 20 cm (7.87") in diameter. The slightly flat apex has white wool. They have up to 20 spirally arranged ribs with conical tubercles 2 cm (0.78") high and elliptical areoles. The 5-11 radial spines are shorter than the 4 central spines (up to 6 cm/2.36" long). The white or pink flowers are up to 4 cm in diameter and appear at the apex of the cactus. They bloom in summer. These slow-growing plants are used in pots for patios, decks, windowsills, balconies, and as indoor and greenhouse plants. Thelocactus nidulans grows in full sun and partial shade exposures. They do not resist temperatures below 4 ºC (39.2 ºF). The soil can be a mixture, in the same proportions, of coarse siliceous sand and heather or minty leaves or a commercial substrate for cacti. Always water moderately, waiting for the substrate to dry completely. Do not water in winter. Fertilize in early spring once with mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents. They do not need pruning. They are quite sensitive plants to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess moisture. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring in sandy seedbeds. |
Images of the cactus Thelocactus nidulans or Bird's-nest Cactus |
 Thelocactus nidulans  Thelocactus nidulans  Thelocactus nidulans  Thelocactus nidulans  Thelocactus nidulans  Thelocactus nidulans |