Echinocereus COCCINEUS

Echinocereus COCCINEUS - Scarlet hedgehog cactus, Echinocereus coccineus.

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

Plants vary from globose to cylindrical, solitary and clumping. Ribs are distinct, with large areoles. Spines can be long, thin, rigid, or finely combed, as in species with pectinate arrangement. Flowers are large, bright, fragrant, opening near the shoot apex. Fruits are fleshy and can be edible. Seeds are rounded, small, and dark.

Echinocereus coccineus - in mature age forms large colonies of 50-100 thick stems. The stems can be covered with dense spines, but can also be almost completely spineless. Stems are semi-erect, dark green, 8-40 cm (3-16 in) high and 5 cm (2 in) in diameter. There can be from 8 to 11 ribs. Spines are usually not differentiated into central and radial ones. There are 5-20 radial spines and 0 to 4 central spines, up to 7.5 cm (3 in) long. Flower coloration varies from nearly orange, scarlet, or pink to deep crimson. Petals have rounded tips, 80 mm (3.1 in) long and 30 mm (1.2 in) wide. The pistil stigma has 7 or 8 lobes. Peak flowering occurs from late April through June. Fruits ripen 2-3 months after flowering. Edible.

Seeds are sown on the surface of a moistened mineral substrate with pH 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 appear within 7-15 days. Often part of the seeds germinates quickly while part takes 4-12 weeks, and individual "slowpokes" can trail on for up to several months. This is a normal scenario for cacti in general. Pricking out is carried out after the first spines appear. Young plants tolerate transplanting well.

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The plant is placed on a south or southwest window with bright sunlight. Direct rays are acceptable throughout most of the year. Good ventilation and low air humidity are required. In summer, temperatures of 22-30 °C (72-86 °F) are maintained; in winter, around 8-12 °C (46-54 °F). Watering is carried out after the substrate has completely dried out. In winter, watering stops completely to provide a dormancy period.

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. In the winter period, feeding is not required.

Shaping is not performed. Propagation is carried out by seeds. Offsets occur rarely. Flowering is possible in the 3rd to 4th year after germination under bright lighting and cool wintering.