Echinocereus triglochidiatus (Claret Cup) is a small mounding cactus, forming bulbous piles of up to hundreds of usually erect, spherical to cylindrical, blue green stems. Grows up to 15-24 in. tall (37-60 cm) and 18-24 in. wide (45-60 cm). Long-lasting, the showy flowers, 3-4 in. long (7-9 cm), are adorned with creamy-yellow at the base of their petals, highlighting their bright green stigma at their center. There are many thready pink stamens at the center of their corolla and a thick nectar chamber that is visited by hummingbirds. The plants may be densely spiny or without spines. They may be composed of 5 to 12 ribs with slightly undulated crests. The spines, in shades of white, yellow, gray, or even black, may be straight, curved, contorted or spreading to projecting outward.
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 coccineus is native to southwestern United States (Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California) and Mexico (Baja California, Sonora, Coahuila, Chihuahua).
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
- Scientific Name: Echinocereus coccineus Engelm.
- Common Names:
California Hedgehog, Claret Cup Cactus, Cream Flower Hedgehog, Golden Rainbow Hedgehog, Scarlet Hedgehog Cactus, Mexican Claret Cup Cactus, Arizona Hedgehog - Synonyms:
Echinocereus triglochidiatus subsp. coccineus, Echinocereus triglochidiatus var. coccineus, Cereus hexaedrus, Echinocereus krausei, Echinocereus melanacanthus, Echinocereus roemeri, Mammillaria aggregata - Family: Cactaceae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Tribe: Pachycereeae
- Genus: Echinocereus
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| source pic: highcountrygardens.com |
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 coccineus is native to southwestern United States (Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California) and Mexico (Baja California, Sonora, Coahuila, Chihuahua).
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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| source pic: planetdesert.com , pinterest.com |
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