Echinocactus horizonthalonius ‘Hipolito’ | Hipólito’s Blue Claw
€100,70
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. ‘Hipolito’ · Hipólito’s Blue Claw
🌱 Morphology
Extremely rare! One of the most recognizable Echinocactus due to its combination of bluish-gray epidermis, deeply marked ribs, and extremely hard, curved spines. The body is globose, depressed, or hemispherical, usually solitary, and may become more cylindrical with age. It generally has 8–9 ribs, vertical or arranged in a gentle spiral. The areoles are aligned along the crests and produce 5–10 pink, gray, brown, or reddish spines, strongly ringed and often curved downwards; one of the central spines is usually especially long.
🧬 The Hipólito Line
‘Hipolito’ is not documented as a formally registered cultivar, but rather as a line or clone of origin, linked to plants of Echinocactus horizonthalonius from Hipólito, Coahuila (Mexico). There are several field collections from this locality, including LRM 46, PD 53, LM 491, and VZ 608. The name ‘Hipolito’ allows this origin to be identified among the numerous morphologically variable forms of the species.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Echinocactus horizonthalonius extends from Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to various regions of northern and central Mexico. It grows mainly in deserts and dry scrublands, frequently on limestone and stony soils. The Hipólito population is found in Coahuila, within the species’ natural range.
Family Cactaceae · Subfamily Cactoideae · Tribe Cacteae · Genus Echinocactus · Species Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. · ‘Hipolito’ clone.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8a
Tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −10 ºC for short periods and with completely dry substrate. Although it comes from desert areas, it does not tolerate the combination of low temperatures and humidity well.
☀️ Lighting
It is recommended to provide full sun, with gradual acclimatization. Intense light promotes the compactness of the body and allows the characteristic bluish-gray tone of the epidermis to develop. In Spanish cultivation, it is advisable to monitor for sunburn from extreme sun and lack of ventilation. A PAR DLI of approximately 25–35 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹is suitable.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During active growth, it is recommended to water abundantly but very infrequently, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. In autumn, watering is gradually reduced until it remains dry throughout the winter. It is a species especially sensitive to excess water and moisture-retaining substrates.
🌸 Flowering
Flowers appear in the apical area and reach approximately 5–7 cm in diameter, with tepals colored intense pink to magenta. They open around noon and remain open for part of the afternoon. The main flowering usually occurs in May and June, although it may repeat in late summer or autumn after rains. No reliable data has been found regarding the exact age at first flowering.
🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, it is recommended to use Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) once a month with watering. Assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgidity, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.
🪴 Pot
8x8 cm gourmet black pot
This is an inimitable xerophyte cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
- Shipped today? Order within:
- Hassle-free returns
- Free Shipping on orders over €79.99
Expert advice with every purchase
Our team provides you with personalized advice on caring for your plants and growing media.
-
Secure and protected payment guaranteed.
