Echinocereus rigidissimus, commonly known as the Arizona Rainbow Cactus or Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus is a solitary, growing cactus, that rarely branches or offsets with age. Echinocereus rigidissimus grows to a height of up to 30 cm, and a width of 11 cm when mature, with pectinate radial spines curved slightly towards the stem, the new spines are initially reddish to magenta and fades to a yellow or light pink colour when they mature.
Echinocereus rigidissimus, flowers in flushes throughout the spring season, with multiple buds borne atop the plant from younger areoles, the flowers are bright pink in colour with a white coloured throat. If pollination is successful, Echinocereus rigidissimus forms circular shaped, greenish to dark purplish fruit, with white flesh and dark brown to black seeds approximately 3 months after flowering.
How to Grow and Care
If you can successfully grow other globular cactus, you can most likely grow Echinocereus well. One of the key factors in success with these is avoiding any hint of wet soil. Because their root systems are weak, they are especially prone to root rot, which will eventually kill your plant. Otherwise, they thrive on a program of strong, bright light, slight water and a steady diet of light fertilizer. These cacti are vulnerable to mealybugs and aphids.
Light: Echinocereus need bright light to perform their best. If you can provide nearly full sun, as in a western window, they will appreciate it. Plants that are grown in dim conditions are unlikely to flower well and will not thrive. Although these are cold tolerant, most of the popular species need relatively warm temperatures to grow their best.
Water: Good drainage is essential for health. During the summer, water the cactus every two weeks or slightly less often, depending on how moist the soil remains. In the winter rest period, cut watering back to once a month, or in humid areas, not at all.
Fertilizer: During the summer, regular doses of a cactus fertilizer will help it grow its best. Use diluted fertilizer for best results.
Soil: A typical cactus mix is perfect. Some references say these plants can handle a slightly richer soil than other types of cactus, but it's never a bad idea to err on the side of caution.
Hardiness: Hardiness USDA zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Origin: Echinocereus rigidissimus native to Mexico (Chihuahua and Sonora) and United States (Arizona and New Mexico).
Propagation: Echinocereus can be propagated either through offsets or by seed. To take an offset, remove the small plantlet, then let dry until callous forms on the cut. Carefully plant the cutting in a cactus soil and keep warm and just barely moist under new growth emerges. These plants can also be reproduced from seed. Plant the seeds in a shallow mix and keep them warm and slightly damp. Germination takes place in about two weeks.
- ALSO READ some more info HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR ECHINOCEREUS
Echinocereus rigidissimus, flowers in flushes throughout the spring season, with multiple buds borne atop the plant from younger areoles, the flowers are bright pink in colour with a white coloured throat. If pollination is successful, Echinocereus rigidissimus forms circular shaped, greenish to dark purplish fruit, with white flesh and dark brown to black seeds approximately 3 months after flowering.
- Scientific Name: Echinocereus rigidissimus (Engelm.) F.Haage
- Common Names: Arizona Rainbow Cactus, Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus, Sonorian Rainbow Cactus
- Synonyms:Echinocereus rigidissimus subsp. rigidissimus, Echinocereus rigidissimus var. rigidissimus, Cereus pectinatus var. rigidissimus, Echinocereus pectinatus var. rigidissimus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Tribe: Pachycereeae
- Species: E. rigidissimus
- Subspecies: E. rigidissimus ssp. rigidissimus, E. rigidissimus ssp. rubrispinus
- Genus: Echinocereus
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| source pic: en.wikipedia.org |
How to Grow and Care
If you can successfully grow other globular cactus, you can most likely grow Echinocereus well. One of the key factors in success with these is avoiding any hint of wet soil. Because their root systems are weak, they are especially prone to root rot, which will eventually kill your plant. Otherwise, they thrive on a program of strong, bright light, slight water and a steady diet of light fertilizer. These cacti are vulnerable to mealybugs and aphids.
Light: Echinocereus need bright light to perform their best. If you can provide nearly full sun, as in a western window, they will appreciate it. Plants that are grown in dim conditions are unlikely to flower well and will not thrive. Although these are cold tolerant, most of the popular species need relatively warm temperatures to grow their best.
Water: Good drainage is essential for health. During the summer, water the cactus every two weeks or slightly less often, depending on how moist the soil remains. In the winter rest period, cut watering back to once a month, or in humid areas, not at all.
Fertilizer: During the summer, regular doses of a cactus fertilizer will help it grow its best. Use diluted fertilizer for best results.
Soil: A typical cactus mix is perfect. Some references say these plants can handle a slightly richer soil than other types of cactus, but it's never a bad idea to err on the side of caution.
Hardiness: Hardiness USDA zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Origin: Echinocereus rigidissimus native to Mexico (Chihuahua and Sonora) and United States (Arizona and New Mexico).
Propagation: Echinocereus can be propagated either through offsets or by seed. To take an offset, remove the small plantlet, then let dry until callous forms on the cut. Carefully plant the cutting in a cactus soil and keep warm and just barely moist under new growth emerges. These plants can also be reproduced from seed. Plant the seeds in a shallow mix and keep them warm and slightly damp. Germination takes place in about two weeks.
- ALSO READ some more info HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR ECHINOCEREUS
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