FEROCACTUS HORRIDUS

ORIGIN AND CHARACTERISTICS

This succulent belongs to the cactaceae family, it comes from Mexico, the common name by which it is known is “Biznaga de Barril”. It is globular in shape and grows vertically creating the illusion of an egg shape. It can reach one and a half meters in height, so it is not one of the tallest succulents in the family.

What differentiates this succulent from the others belonging to the same species are its flowers of such particular shapes. These flowers resemble the shape of corn, both in appearance and color. Flower growth occurs along the ribs.

The plants of this spice are covered with tubers, and when the cactus grows, the tubers come together, forming ribs separated by indentations. The areolas are set along the ribs and are full of woolly hairs.

The spines are found on the ribs, they are long and pointed. This one in particular has a greater number of thorns than some other succulents, about 10-20 cm long.

DECORATION OF ... EXTERIOR OR INTERIOR?

This plant is perfect both for the interior of the home and for the exterior, since it does not need much maintenance and can survive long seasons without the need for watering. In addition, it is usually free of pests and has a very decorative shape and does not reach a great height.

It has a beautiful green color and the shape of its ribs and thorns makes it a very aesthetic plant. But you have to be careful with the thorns as they are sharp.

CARE FOR CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS

They are showy plants, very pretty and that practically do not need much maintenance.

- They prefer places with direct light or that have good lighting, preferably next to a window, on a balcony, a terrace or in your Garden.

- They can withstand low temperatures, around 5ºC, but be careful that they are not exposed to strong frosts, or get too wet as they tend to rot.

- It is essential that they have good drainage, both in the soil and in a pot.

- The ideal substrate for cacti has to be combined with sand and gravel, so that they have good drainage, humidity and excess water are not good.

- Irrigation does not have to be excessive. From spring to autumn, which would be its growth period, water every 15 days, abundant watering and wait for the soil to be very dry again. In winter do not water or give one watering per month.

- Fertilizer. During the growing season (spring - autumn) you can fertilize them with worm humus. Eggshells are a good homemade fertilizer, they contain (Calcium, Iron, Potassium, magnesium and Phosphorus) these nutrients are very important and favor their growth, you must crush and mix them with the substrate, administer them a couple of times a year.

- Treatment against fungi due to excess humidity, disinfect the area with a copper-based fungicide.

- If you want to transplant them from the pot or the ground, the best time would be from spring.

And don't forget that to work with cacti you have to wear good gloves.