Echinocereus VIRIDIFLORUS 'ROBUSTIOR'

Echinocereus VIRIDIFLORUS 'ROBUSTIOR' - Robust green-flowered hedgehog cactus, Echinocereus viridiflorus 'Robustior'.

Echinocereus is a genus of cacti in the family Cactaceae, comprising about 100 species growing in the arid regions of North America. Cacti of this genus are known for their profuse flowering, diversity of forms, and resilience to adverse conditions.

The plants vary from globular to cylindrical, solitary and clustering. Ribs are distinct, with large areoles. Spines can be long, slender, rigid, or finely pectinate, as in species with comb-like arrangement. The flowers are large, bright, fragrant, opening at the top of the shoot. Fruits are fleshy and may be edible. Seeds are rounded, small, and dark.

Robust green-flowered hedgehog cactus is a small cactus with a solitary or slowly clumping stem, cylindrical or oval-elongated, up to 5–7 cm (2.0–2.8 in) in diameter and up to 15 cm (5.9 in) in height. The stem is green, with pronounced tuberculate ribs (8–12) covered with areoles bearing whitish pubescence. Spines are numerous, slender: up to 12 radials, light yellow or whitish, and 1–4 centrals, longer, straight or slightly curved, ranging from brownish to nearly black. The 'robustior' form differs in having a more massive, denser stem and stouter spines compared to the typical form.

Flowering occurs in spring. The flowers are medium-sized, cup-shaped, yellow-green or greenish-brown, with a reddish tint on the outer side of the petals and a bright center. The flower tube is short, covered with hairs and bristles. Fruits are rounded, green, spiny, becoming purple upon ripening, and containing numerous small black seeds.

Seeds are sown on the surface of a moistened mineral substrate with a pH of 6.0–6.5. Sowings are covered with a lid or glass, and ventilation is provided. Germination temperature is 24–28 °C (75–82 °F).

Seedlings emerge in 7–15 days. Often, part of the seeds germinates quickly, and another part in 4–12 weeks, with individual slow sprouters taking up to several months. This is a normal scenario for cacti in general. Pricking out is performed after the appearance of the first spines. Young plants tolerate transplanting well.

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The plant is placed on a south or southwest-facing window with bright sunlight. Direct rays are permissible for most of the year. Good ventilation and low air humidity are required. In summer, a temperature of 22–30 °C (72–86 °F) is maintained. In winter - around 8–12 °C (46–54 °F). Watering is carried out after the substrate dries out completely. In winter, watering ceases entirely to ensure a period of dormancy.

A mineral substrate with added sand, perlite, and gravel is used. Pots must have drainage holes. Repotting is carried out in spring, once every 2–3 years. Drainage is mandatory. Fertilizers are applied once every 4 weeks from spring to autumn. Low-nitrogen cactus fertilizers are used. During the winter period, feeding is not required.

Shaping is not carried out. Propagation is carried out by seed. Offsets are rare. Flowering is possible in the 3rd–4th year after germination given bright light and cool overwintering.