Echinocereus ACIFER

Echinocereus ACIFER - Needle-bearing echinocereus, Echinocereus acifer.

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

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

The needle-bearing echinocereus is an ornamental species with erect cylindrical stems up to 20-25 cm (8-10 in) in height and 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in) in diameter. The ribs are distinct, low, and the areoles are grayish, with numerous thin, sharp spines up to 4 cm (1.6 in) long. The spines are white with a yellow or brown tint, creating a dense covering.

It flowers in the spring-summer period. The flowers are large, crimson-pink with a whitish center, up to 6-7 cm (2.4-2.8 in) in diameter, opening at the top of the stem. The fruits are oval, light green or pink, covered with fine bristles. The seeds are rounded, dark, with a glossy coat.

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

Sprouts appear in 7-15 days. Often, a portion of seeds sprouts quickly, while another portion emerges after 4-12 weeks, and individual "slowpokes" can take up to several months. This is a normal scenario for cacti in general. Picking is carried out after the appearance of the first spines. Young plants tolerate transplanting well.

© Greeniverse. All rights reserved.

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

A mineral substrate with the addition of 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. Fertilizer applications are made once every 4 weeks from spring to autumn. Cactus fertilizers with low nitrogen content are applied. During the winter period, feeding is not required.

Pruning is not performed. Propagation is carried out by seeds. Offsets are rare. Flowering is possible in the 3rd-4th year after germination under bright lighting and a cool wintering.