Consulta Plantas

Care of the cactus Ferocactus schwarzii or Schwarz's 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 schwarzii, Ferocactus robustus, Ferocactus peninsulae, Ferocactus latispinus, Ferocactus histrix, Ferocactus glaucescens, Ferocactus flavovirens, Ferocactus cylindraceus, Ferocactus alamosanus, Ferocactus hamatacanthus, Ferocactus emoryi, Ferocactus gracilis, Ferocactus stainesii, Ferocactus wislizenii.

Common names: Clump Barrel, Barrel Cactus. This species is native to Sinaloa, Mexico.

They are greyish green cacti with a globular shape that reach 80 cm (2.62 feet) in height. They have 13-19 sharp ribs with closely spaced areoles that have 4 yellowish spines. The flowers appear at the depressed apex of the plant and are yellow in color. They bloom in spring and early summer. Young specimens can flower at a young age.

They are used in pots, for rockeries and in gardens of cacti and succulents.

Ferocactus schwarzii can be grown in direct sun and semi-shade exposures; the climate must be dry and warm. In winter the temperature should not be less than 6 ºC (42.8 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of 60% heather or leaf mulch soil and 40% coarse sand. Planting or transplanting is done in early spring.

Water in summer every 7-8 days, in spring every 15 days, in autumn every 20 days and in winter do not water. It's important to wait for the substrate to dry completely before watering.

Fertilize with mineral cactus fertilizer in mid-spring.

Pruning is not necessary.

They are plants resistant to pests but sensitive to excess humidity.

They propagate by seeds sown in spring; it's a slow but easy process.

Images of the cactus Ferocactus schwarzii or Schwarz's Barrel Cactus