Ferocactus latispinus or Devil's Tongue Barrel

Care of the cactus Ferocactus latispinus or Devil's Tongue Barrel

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

Common names: Candy cactus, Devil's Tongue Barrel, Crow's Claw Cactus. This species is native to central and southern Mexico.

They are cacti with a globular body and a greyish green color that reach 40 cm (15.74") in height. The upper part of the plant is flat and has sharp ribs with woolly areoles 4 cm (1.57") apart. They have radial spines 2 cm (0.78") long and 4 striated central spines, reddish in color and 3.5 cm (1.37") long; the lower central spine is flat and has a hooked tip. They produce scented red flowers with blue, purple or white inner petals. They bloom in summer and are able to bloom when they reach 15 cm (5.9") in diameter.

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

The Ferocactus latispinus needs a very sunny exposure and warm temperatures. The adult specimens resist frosts of -4 ºC (24.8 ºF) if the substrate.

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

Water moderately, waiting for the substrate to dry. In summer water every 7-8 days. In winter there is no need to water.

They do not need pruning or fertilizers.

They are sensitive plants to excess humidity.

They propagate quite easily from seeds sown in spring.