Echinocereus pentalophus (Lady Finger Cactus)

Scientific Name

Echinocereus pentalophus (DC.) Lem.

Common Names

Lady Finger Cactus, Dog Tail, Alicoche, Devil's Fingers

Synonyms

Cereus pentalophus, Echinocereus pentalophus subsp. pentalophus, Echinocereus procumbens

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Pachycereeae
Genus: Echinocereus

Description

Echinocereus pentalophus – Lady Finger Cactus is a mat-forming cactus with many crowded finger-like stems. The narrow green stems, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, have 5 (sometimes 4) ribs, with evenly-spaced clusters of 4 to 7 short white or yellowish spines, one of which is a little longer and more central. The plant branches profusely, the stems growing sideways along or close to the ground, becoming several feet long, and they produce many large pink flowers up to 6 inches (15 cm) across, in late spring, followed by green fruits.

Photo via cactuscolin.wix.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. Echinocereus is vulnerable to mealybugs and aphids. Echinocereus are slow growing cactus that should only need repotting every other year or so. You can prolong the time to repotting by removing plantlets and potting them up in their own pots. When repotting a cactus, carefully remove it from its pot and knock away any clumped soil. These plants tend to be shallow-rooted with weak root systems, so take care not to damage their roots… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Echinocereus.