Ferocactus gracilis | Red barrel cactus
€7,95
🌵 Morphology:
Generally solitary cactus, with a globose body in the early stages and progressively cylindrical with age. It can reach approximately 1.5 m in height and 30 cm in diameter. It has numerous ribs, on which areoles are arranged, provided with whitish radial spines and several much more robust central spines. The latter are intense red, often with yellowish tips, flattened and slightly curved. The four main ones can be arranged in a cross shape and reach about 7 cm. It is one of the most recognizable Ferocactus due to the contrast between the green stem and its red spines.
🌍 Habitat and geographical distribution:
It is endemic to the state of Baja California, Mexico, where it is distributed from the southern tip of the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir southwards, approximately to Punta Prieta. It lives from almost sea level up to about 300 m in altitude, on rocky slopes, alluvial fans, gravel plains, and silty soils. It is part of communities typical of the Baja California desert, along with other cacti and xerophytic plants. It belongs to the Cactaceae family.
❄️ USDA zone and minimum growing temperatures: It can be placed approximately in USDA 9b–11. Growing references indicate an approximate resistance down to −6 °C, provided the plant is completely dry, although this figure should not be interpreted as a safe minimum temperature for every specimen and condition.
☀️ PAR lighting:
It needs very high illumination to maintain compact growth and, above all, to properly develop the intense red coloration of the spines. An approximate target of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR during active growth is recommended. Once acclimated, it tolerates and thrives in full sun.
💧 5. Growth cycle and watering: It has winter dormancy, while active growth is concentrated mainly from spring to summer. In Madrid, it is advisable to start watering when night temperatures are mild enough, performing a thorough watering and allowing the substrate to dry completely before watering again. During spring and summer, this cycle can be maintained as long as the substrate has fast drainage. From late summer, water supply should be gradually reduced until it is suspended in autumn. During winter, it must remain completely dry.
🌸 Flowering: Produces bell-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers, about 4 cm long and approximately 3–4 cm in diameter. They have a very characteristic coloration, with purple-red or magenta tones in the central area and yellow, whitish, or reddish margins depending on the specimen and population. Flowering occurs mainly from late spring to early summer, although in some populations it can extend towards late summer. In Madrid, it can be expected mainly between May and July, depending on spring temperatures.
🌿 Nutrition: During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Cacti, with an NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) formulation plus micronutrients, is recommended. The supply of assimilable calcium, equal to nitrogen, favors the maintenance of turgor, while magnesium contributes to proper physiological function. It is recommended to apply by watering once a month from April to September, suspending fertilization during winter dormancy.
This is an inimitable xerophytic plant grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the specific Desert SOIL substrate.
📏 The sizes of our basic collection xerophytic plants are as follows:
S -> 9cm x 9cm
M-> 14cm x 14 cm
L->16cm x 16 cm
* 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 Desert CITY's plants has unique characteristics.
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