Ferocactus TOWNSENDIANUS, Santa-Maria

Ferocactus TOWNSENDIANUS - Ferocactus 'Santa Maria', Townsend's barrel cactus, Ferocactus PENINSULAE.

Ferocactus is a genus of cacti in the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising about 30 species native to arid regions of North and Central America.

The genus is represented by large globular and barrel-shaped cacti with prominent ribs and large areoles. The primary distinction is powerful spines, often colored red, yellow, or white. Spines are rigid, straight or hooked. Many species show a tendency to increase in height with age, transitioning into a columnar shape.

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

Ferocactus 'Santa Maria' is a solitary cylindrical plant up to 70 cm (28 in) in height and up to 25 cm (9.8 in) in diameter, with 13 blunt, somewhat tuberculate, straight ribs. It has 4 central spines and 15 radial ones. Funnel-shaped yellow flowers reach 6 cm (2.4 in) in length and 7 cm (2.8 in) in diameter. Fruits are yellow and fleshy. Natural habitat: Santa Maria Bay, Baja California Sur (Mexico).

Seeds are sown on the surface of a moistened mineral substrate with added fine sand. The sowings are covered with a transparent dome. Daily airing and maintaining temperatures in the range of 22-26 °C (72-79 °F) are required.

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

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Ferocactus is successfully cultivated under indoor conditions. It is placed in a bright sunny spot, preferably a south window or 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; in winter, keeping at 8-12 °C (46-54 °F) under conditions of complete dormancy is preferred. Watering is carried out after the soil dries out completely, using soft water. During the cold period, watering is stopped to avoid rot.

A coarse mineral substrate with added sand, brick chips, and perlite is used. Deep pots with mandatory drainage are preferred. Repotting is carried out in spring as needed. During the growing season, mineral fertilizers for cacti are applied once every 3-4 weeks. Fertilizing is stopped from mid-autumn. Nitrogen fertilizers are not used.

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