Echinocactus PLATYACANTHUS

Echinocactus PLATYACANTHUS - Broad-spined barrel cactus, Giant barrel cactus, Echinocactus platyacanthus, Echinocactus VISNAGA, Echinocactus INGENS.

Echinocactus is a genus of globular succulents from the cactus family (Cactaceae), distributed in the subtropical deserts of Mexico and the southwestern United States, including the famous Mojave Desert. The plants are slow-growing, but their height can reach three meters (10 ft) and their width more than one meter (3.3 ft). The age of individual plants can reach five hundred years, and their weight up to one ton.

In most species at a young age, the diameter of the globular stems is practically equal to their height; with age, the proportions change slightly and the plants become somewhat elongated. The size of mature plants can reach 1 m (3.3 ft) in diameter and up to 1.5 m (5 ft) in height. When grown indoors, its dimensions are much more modest. With insufficient lighting, the shape may become oblong instead of spherical.

The green or bluish stem has numerous prominent ribs covered with spines. In young plants aged 3-5 years, the ribs are not strongly pronounced and resemble small tubercles. With age, the number of ribs in some species can exceed fifty. It does not form lateral shoots.

At the apex where the ribs converge, most echinocacti form a light, pubescent crown. The areoles are large and pubescent. The spines are strong, straight, sometimes slightly curved, more than 3 cm (1.2 in) long, and come in various colors and shades, with their color potentially changing with age.

It blooms with large solitary bell-shaped flowers of yellow, red, or pink color located at the top, often in several circles. The floral tube is short, scaly, with felt-like pubescence. The petals are narrow, often with pubescent tips. Under domestic conditions, this occurs extremely rarely.

Echinocactus platyacanthus is a large species reaching 1.5-2 m (5-6.6 ft) in height and 1-1.5 m (3.3-5 ft) in width, less ribbed compared to Grusonii, with 20-25 ribs. The spines are grayish - 5-6 radial ones up to 3.5 cm (1.4 in) long and 3-4 central ones about 4.5 cm (1.8 in) long, straight, slightly flattened, with transverse ridges. The flowers are bright yellow, with a corolla 3.5-4 cm (1.4-1.6 in) long, arranged as a crown at the top of the stem. It blooms at a mature age. Its native habitat is Central Mexico and the USA (New Mexico, Oklahoma).

This species of echinocactus is threatened with extinction because it is widely popular in confectionery: Mexicans boil sweets called 'Dulce de biznaga' from the pulp of this cactus and sugar.

Seeds are sown in shallow, wide pans on top of a mixture of leaf mold and coarse river sand (cactus substrate mixed with sand can also be used), moistened with a spray bottle, covered with film, and germinated in light, but not in direct sun, at a temperature of 21-24 °C (70-75 °F). Seedlings require ventilation. Overwatering and drying out of sowings must be avoided.

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Echinocactus requires maximum illumination. In spring, it is recommended to shade it slightly and gradually accustom it to direct sunlight. With insufficient lighting, plant growth halts. The cactus strongly dislikes frequent moves from place to place or rotation around its axis.

In summer, the plant should be taken out to an open balcony. It is very heat-loving and easily tolerates temperature rises above 25 °C (77 °F). In winter, the succulent enters a dormant period, during which it is advisable to move the plant to a bright but cooler room where a temperature of 8-12 °C (46-54 °F) is maintained under dry conditions.

Watering is moderate; excess moisture is much more dangerous than underwatering. In spring and summer, subsequent watering can be carried out when the root ball dries out by more than one third. In autumn, watering is reduced even further; in winter in a warm room, no more than once a month, while in a cold room watering is stopped until spring. Echinocactus is resistant to dry air, but regular spraying with warm water is very beneficial.

Representatives of this genus have specific preferences regarding soil fertility and composition. Therefore, ready-made universal cactus soil is not entirely suitable for them. A slightly acidic soil mix consisting of sod soil, leaf mold, peat, and sand mixed equally with crushed brick in a ratio of 2:1:1:1 (pH=5.5) will be optimal.

To strengthen the spines, lime or crushed eggshells can be added to the soil - about 1-1.5% of the total volume. Charcoal is added to prevent root rot. The growing container is chosen just 1-2 cm (0.4-0.8 in) wider than the diameter of the plant itself. A drainage layer at least 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) high must be placed at the bottom.

Young plants are repotted every 1-2 years, and mature ones once every 4-5 years. Roots growing out of the drainage hole can indicate the need for repotting. The plants should be removed together with the root ball and allowed to sit for several days so the roots dry slightly. From April to September, echinocacti are fed with special fertilizer for cacti.