Ferocactus latispinus | Hook-spined barrel cactus
€26,50
🌵 Morphology:
A globular cactus, depressed at the apex, usually wider than tall, that can reach about 30–40 cm in height and up to 40 cm in diameter. The stem is grayish-green and has about 21 ribs in adult specimens, although young plants may have fewer. The areoles are large and develop between 12 and 15 radial spines, usually whitish or reddish. The 4–6 central spines are more robust and colored, with the lower one being particularly prominent, as it is flat, wide, and ends in a distinct hooked curvature. This spine is responsible for much of its characteristic appearance. It is also known as the devil's tongue.
🌍 Habitat and geographical distribution:
It is endemic to Mexico and has a wide distribution across the center and south of the country, from Durango and Zacatecas to Puebla, Oaxaca, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Querétaro, Jalisco, and the State of Mexico. It grows approximately between 600 and 2,600 m in altitude, in arid and semi-arid areas, grasslands, xerophilous scrublands, and, in Oaxaca, also in open Quercus forests. It can grow on stony terrain, plains, and loamy soils, always with good drainage. It belongs to the family Cactaceae.
❄️ USDA Zone and minimum cultivation temperatures:
It can be approximately situated in USDA 9a–11. Some cultivation references indicate a momentary resistance close to −4 °C, provided the plant remains completely dry.
☀️ PAR Illumination:
It needs very high illumination to maintain compact growth and correctly develop its spines, especially the characteristic hooked central spine. An approximate target of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR is recommended during active growth. Full sun is recommended once acclimatized. Light and heat availability also directly influence flower induction.
💧 Growth cycle and watering:
It exhibits winter dormancy. Active growth primarily occurs from spring to late summer. In Madrid, it is advisable to start watering in spring when night temperatures are sufficiently mild, performing a thorough watering and allowing the substrate to dry completely before watering again. During summer, this cycle can be maintained if the substrate drains quickly. From late summer, water supply should be gradually reduced until suspended in autumn. During winter, it should remain completely dry.
🌸 Flowering: It is one of the Ferocactus species that can flower relatively young. The flowers are funnel-shaped, about 3–4 cm in diameter, and can be purple, violet, pink, or yellowish, depending on the population and specimen. For Madrid, flowering can be expected mainly between August and October, provided it has received sufficient light and heat during the active season.
🌿 Nutrition: During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas is recommended, with NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) formulation plus micronutrients. The supply of assimilable calcium, equal to nitrogen, promotes turgor maintenance, while magnesium contributes to the plant's good physiological function. It is recommended to apply through irrigation 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 xerophytic plants from our basic collection are as follows:
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 photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but these may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each plant at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.
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