Echinocactus platyacanthus is a slowly growing barrel cactus known under popular name visnaga, it is usually solitary and grows huge in habitat. This slow-growing species can reach sizes up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall and 1.5 m (4.9 ft) wide and can live over a hundred years. Photographs exist of specimens almost four feet (almost 1.2 m) in thickness.
What is probably the largest individual living today is the one called "Goliat" at the "Area Natural de Daxpe" in the Municipio de Cadereyta, Querétaro State, Mexico, which is 9' 8" (2.95 meters) in height, at least three feet (0.9 meter) thick and weighs about three metric tons (6,600 pounds). Their stems are a gray-ish blue color and the straight, rigid spines are black.
The apex of the cactus is flat and covered with a yellow felt-like substance. They're heavily ribbed and have large areoles. Their diurnal, tubular flowers bloom at the end of spring to summer and are a vivid yellow color; they grow to about 2 cm (0.79 in) in height and 3 cm (1.2 in) in width.The fruit is about 3 cm (1.2 in) long and is covered by a hairy wool.
How to Grow and Care
These cacti do best in a very sunny window, perhaps a southern exposure. Plants that do not get enough sunlight will grow more slowly and fail to thrive.It is critical to never let these cacti be exposed to prolonged periods in water or even very high humidity. They will suffer from rot in the presence of humidity.
Light: Echinocactus platyacanthus is suitable for part sunny to full sunny places with a minimum of 3 hours direct sunlight per day. If placed outside from spring to fall please acclimate him slowly to the sun which is no longer filtered through a window. Otherwise it could get sunburnt.
Soil: At least 50 % of the soil should consist of mineral components such as pumice gravel, bird sand or perlite. Potting soil can be mixed with pumice and sand or perlite and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1. The Giant Barrel Cactus grows also good in pure pumice.
Watering: Allow the soil to dry between the waterings. Water sparingly if placed cool during winter. The cooler it is placed, the less water it needs.
Feeding: Every 4th to 8th week when in active growth with cacti liquid fertilizer or a standard liquid fertilizer at half strength. New bought or recently repotted cacti don’t need to be fed for the first year.
Temperature: The Giant Barrel Cactus does best with a cool winter rest period at 3 to 10 °C (37 to 50 °F) but also can be placed at 10 to 15 (50 to 59 °F). Minimum temperature is 1 °C (34 °F).
Origin:
Echinocactus platyacanthus is native to central Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Propagation: Barrel Cactus are typically propagated by seed. Mature cactus will bloom in the summer with flowers that grow in whorls around the top of the plant.
To seed a cactus, plant the seeds shallowly in a cactus mix and keep them warm and very slightly moist.
- ALSO READ some more info How to Grow and Care for Echinocactus
What is probably the largest individual living today is the one called "Goliat" at the "Area Natural de Daxpe" in the Municipio de Cadereyta, Querétaro State, Mexico, which is 9' 8" (2.95 meters) in height, at least three feet (0.9 meter) thick and weighs about three metric tons (6,600 pounds). Their stems are a gray-ish blue color and the straight, rigid spines are black.
The apex of the cactus is flat and covered with a yellow felt-like substance. They're heavily ribbed and have large areoles. Their diurnal, tubular flowers bloom at the end of spring to summer and are a vivid yellow color; they grow to about 2 cm (0.79 in) in height and 3 cm (1.2 in) in width.The fruit is about 3 cm (1.2 in) long and is covered by a hairy wool.
- Scientific Name: Echinocactus platyacanthus Link & Otto
- Common Names: Giant Barrel Cactus, Giant Biznaga, Large Barrel Cactus
- Synonyms: Echinocactus aulacogonus, Echinocactus edulis, Echinocactus ghiesbreghtianus, Echinocactus grandis, Echinocactus helophorus, Echinocactus ingens, Echinocactus irroratus, Echinocactus karwinskii, Echinocactus macracanthus, Echinocactus minax, Copiapoa macracanth, Echinocactus arachnoideus,Echinocactus oligacanthus, Echinocactus platyceras, Echinocactus saltillensis, Echinocactus tuberculatus, Echinocactus viznaga, Echinofossulocactus helophorus, Echinofossulocactus karwinskianus, Echinofossulocactus macracanthus, Echinofossulocactus platyceras, Melocactus ingens, Melocactus platyacanthus, Melocactus tuberculatus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Tribe: Cacteae
- Species: E. platyacanthus
- Genus: ECHINOCACTUS
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| source pic:pinterest.com |
How to Grow and Care
These cacti do best in a very sunny window, perhaps a southern exposure. Plants that do not get enough sunlight will grow more slowly and fail to thrive.It is critical to never let these cacti be exposed to prolonged periods in water or even very high humidity. They will suffer from rot in the presence of humidity.
Light: Echinocactus platyacanthus is suitable for part sunny to full sunny places with a minimum of 3 hours direct sunlight per day. If placed outside from spring to fall please acclimate him slowly to the sun which is no longer filtered through a window. Otherwise it could get sunburnt.
Soil: At least 50 % of the soil should consist of mineral components such as pumice gravel, bird sand or perlite. Potting soil can be mixed with pumice and sand or perlite and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1. The Giant Barrel Cactus grows also good in pure pumice.
Watering: Allow the soil to dry between the waterings. Water sparingly if placed cool during winter. The cooler it is placed, the less water it needs.
Feeding: Every 4th to 8th week when in active growth with cacti liquid fertilizer or a standard liquid fertilizer at half strength. New bought or recently repotted cacti don’t need to be fed for the first year.
Temperature: The Giant Barrel Cactus does best with a cool winter rest period at 3 to 10 °C (37 to 50 °F) but also can be placed at 10 to 15 (50 to 59 °F). Minimum temperature is 1 °C (34 °F).
Origin:
Echinocactus platyacanthus is native to central Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert.
Propagation: Barrel Cactus are typically propagated by seed. Mature cactus will bloom in the summer with flowers that grow in whorls around the top of the plant.
To seed a cactus, plant the seeds shallowly in a cactus mix and keep them warm and very slightly moist.
- ALSO READ some more info How to Grow and Care for Echinocactus
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| source pic:pinterest.com |
