€10,60

🌱 Morphology
Small cactus, solitary or forming clusters of a few stems, globose to short and conically cylindrical in shape. The stems reach approximately 10–18 cm in height and 5–10 cm in diameter, with a dark green epidermis that can take on brownish or reddish tones. It has 8–10 ribs, which are very tubercular and prominent. The areoles produce characteristic spination: generally 4–6 radial spines, thick, rigid, and somewhat flattened, white to grayish in color, often with a darker longitudinal line; occasionally a single central spine appears, pointing upward, up to 2.5–3 cm long. The spination can take on brown, black, or purplish tones and is one of the features that allows it to be distinguished from other forms of Echinocereus fendleri.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
Its natural range is very limited and it is found in the Sacramento and Guadalupe Mountains in southern New Mexico, mainly in Otero, Lincoln, and Chaves counties. It grows at approximately 1,830 to 2,130 m altitude, in stony terrain and prairie slopes, as well as in open forests of pine, juniper, and other woody species, frequently on sandy clay soils with abundant limestone fragments. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.

❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 7b–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −18 ºC in dry, properly acclimated specimens. It is a highly cold-hardy species, although tolerance may vary between clones. During the lowest temperatures, it must be kept completely dry and with excellent drainage.

☀️ Lighting
During active growth, it requires very high light levels, with a target of approximately 18–25 mol/m²/day DLI PAR. It tolerates several hours of direct sun. High light intensity promotes compact growth, the formation of characteristic spination, and abundant flowering.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter rest. During the winter, it should be kept cool, bright, and completely dry. Growth begins in spring and continues mainly until early summer. During this period, abundant watering is recommended, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering. It is especially important to avoid excess moisture during dormancy, as its roots can rot easily.

🌸 Flowering
It produces extraordinarily large flowers in relation to the size of the body, 6–12 cm in diameter, intense magenta in color, usually with green bands and darker zones toward the center. The tepals are pointed, and flowering occurs mainly between May and June in its natural habitat. In Madrid, it can be expected approximately between May and June. The fruits are red, fleshy, and approximately 3–5 cm long. They are edible. This is also why it has the common name Strawberry cactus.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, is recommended, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technical square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

9x9 cm gourmet black pot

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The plant's measurements are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.

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