Ferocactus MACRODISCUS

Ferocactus MACRODISCUS - Large-disk barrel cactus, Macrodiscus barrel cactus, Echinocactus, Ferocactus macrodiscus.

Ferocactus is a genus of cacti in the family Cactaceae, comprising about 30 species growing in arid regions of North and Central America.

The genus is represented by large spherical and barrel-shaped cacti with robust ribs and large areoles. The main distinction is powerful spines, often colored red, yellow, or white. Spines are rigid, straight, or hooked. Many species exhibit a tendency to grow taller with age, transitioning into a columnar shape.

Flowering occurs in summer. The flowers are large, usually reddish, yellow, or pink, forming at the apex of the plant. The fruits are oblong, fleshy, becoming dry upon maturation. Seeds are small, black or brown, rounded in shape with a glossy surface.

Large-disk barrel cactus is a medium-sized barrel cactus with a depressed stem and blue-green epidermis. Growth from seed is fairly rapid, and plants will bloom when their diameter is just a few centimeters. Flowers are white with pinkish-purple or white-pink striped petals. The stem is solitary, flat, sunken-spherical, or disc-shaped, up to 10 cm (4 in) tall and 30-45 cm (12-18 in) in diameter (but in some cases almost up to 60 cm (24 in)).

Seeds are sown on the surface of a moistened mineral substrate with the addition of fine sand. Sowings are covered with a transparent dome. Daily ventilation and maintaining a temperature in the range of 22-26 °C (72-79 °F) are required.

Seedlings emerge within 7-20 days. In rare cases, germination extends up to 30-40 days. Pricking out is performed after the appearance of the first spines, with seedlings carefully transplanted into individual containers and kept in diffused lighting.

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Ferocactus is successfully grown under home conditions. It is placed in a bright sunny spot, preferably a south-facing window or a greenhouse. When grown in an apartment, maximum illumination and regular ventilation are provided.

In summer, a temperature of 22-30 °C (72-86 °F) is maintained, and in winter, keeping it at 8-12 °C (46-54 °F) under conditions of complete dormancy is preferred. Watering is carried out after the soil has dried out completely, using soft water. In the cold period, watering ceases to prevent rot.

A coarse-grained mineral substrate with the addition of sand, crushed brick, and perlite is used. Preference is given to deep pots with mandatory drainage. Repotting is carried out in spring as needed. During the growing season, mineral fertilizers for cacti are applied once every 3-4 weeks. From mid-autumn, fertilizing ceases. Nitrogen fertilizers are not used.

Shaping and pruning are not performed. Propagation is carried out primarily by seeds, as the plant grows slowly and rarely produces offsets. The culture is recommended for both experienced and beginning cactus enthusiasts.