Scientific Name
Echinocereus subinermis Salm-Dyck ex Scheer
Synonym(s)
Cereus subinermis, Echinocereus subinermis var. luteus, Echinocereus luteus
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Pachycereeae
Genus: Echinocereus
Description
Echinocereus subinermis is a cactus with spherical or elongated, chunky glaucous green stems with short spines along the ribs. The stems grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and up to 3.6 inches (9 cm) in diameter. They usually have no central spine and up to 10 radial spines per areole. Flowers are yellow, up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) in diameter, and appear in spring and summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
If you can successfully grow other globular cacti, 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 strong bright light, slight 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 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.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Echinocereus.
Origin
This species is native to north, northwestern, and central Mexico.
Links
- Back to genus Echinocereus
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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