Scientific Name
Echinocereus pulchellus (Mart.) Seitz
Synonym(s)
Echinocactus pulchellus, Echinocereus pulchellus subsp. pulchellus, Cereus amoena, Cereus amoenus, Cereus pulchellus, Echinocereus amoenus, Echinonyctanthus pulchellus, Echinopsis amoena, Echinopsis pulchella
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Pachycereeae
Genus: Echinocereus
Description
Echinocereus pulchellus is a small cactus that produces offsets once it is quite mature and well established. The stems are spherical, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter, and have short tubercles arranged in ribs, sometimes subtly spiraled. The spines are inconspicuous and arranged in clusters of 3 to 7. Flowers are showy, pinkish-white to hot-pink, and up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 8b to 11b: from 15 °F (−9.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
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 is avoiding any hint of wet soil. Because their root systems are weak, they are especially prone to root rot, eventually killing your plant. Otherwise, they thrive on a program of intense bright light, little water, and a steady diet of light fertilizer. These cacti are vulnerable to mealybugs and aphids.
Echinocereus are slow-growing cacti that should only need repotting every other year or so. You can prolong the repotting by removing plantlets and potting them in their 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.
Origin
This species is native to Mexico.
Links
- Back to genus Echinocereus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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