Horse Crippler (Echinocactus texensis) is an attractive, stout barrel cactus, which solitary when young and very rarely slowly clustering in age.it is 1-2 inches above the ground and up to 12 inches across. It usually has only 1 stem, occasionally 2 or 3. The surface of the plant is dark green. It has about 14 spines at each areole, with a central spine that is longer and stronger than the others, 2- 3 inches long and straight to slightly-curved downward. The inverted bell-shaped flowers are 1- 2 3/4 inches across and about as tall. The outer petals are salmon-red, the inner ones salmon-pink with streaks of red.
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: It grows well in full sun. Echinocactus do best in a very sunny window, perhaps a southern exposure. Cactus plants that do not get enough sunlight will grow more slowly and fail to thrive.
Soil: It prefers any rich, well-drained soil such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and if you use a regular peat-based mix, be sure to add sand or extra perlite to enhance drainage and repot the plant when the soil begins to break down. Or use a cactus soil mix. is ideal.
Watering: Water moderately, during the growing season. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry out before watering again. During the winter season, do not water the plants but just keep them moist otherwise they will rot.
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: Echinocactus prefers average temperatures between 50 degrees Fahrenheit – 75 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 degrees Celsius – 24 degrees Celsius is ideal but not below 40 degrees Fahrenheit / 5 degrees Celsius and avoid frost.
Origin: Echinocactus texensis native to southeast New Mexico, west, central and south Texas.
Propagation: Echinocactus can be propagated by seed. To seed a cactus, plant the seeds shallowly in a cactus mix and keep them warm and very slightly moist.
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
- Scientific Name: Echinocactus texensis Hopffer
- Synonyms: Echinocactus courantianus, Echinocactus lindheimeri, Echinocactus platycephalus, Homalocephala texensis.
- Common Names: Horse Crippler, Horse Crippler Cactus, Devil's Head, Chisos Hedgehog Cactus, Chisos Hedgehog
- Family: Cactaceae
- Subfamily: Cactoideae
- Tribe: Cacteae
- Genus: Echinocactus
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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: It grows well in full sun. Echinocactus do best in a very sunny window, perhaps a southern exposure. Cactus plants that do not get enough sunlight will grow more slowly and fail to thrive.
Soil: It prefers any rich, well-drained soil such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and if you use a regular peat-based mix, be sure to add sand or extra perlite to enhance drainage and repot the plant when the soil begins to break down. Or use a cactus soil mix. is ideal.
Temperature: Echinocactus prefers average temperatures between 50 degrees Fahrenheit – 75 degrees Fahrenheit / 10 degrees Celsius – 24 degrees Celsius is ideal but not below 40 degrees Fahrenheit / 5 degrees Celsius and avoid frost.
Origin: Echinocactus texensis native to southeast New Mexico, west, central and south Texas.
Propagation: Echinocactus can be propagated by seed. To seed a cactus, plant the seeds shallowly in a cactus mix and keep them warm and very slightly moist.
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: dallasarboretum.org |
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