Echinopsis 'Red Paramount'

Scientific Name

Echinopsis 'Red Paramount'

Synonym(s)

Echinopsis hybrid 'Red Paramount', Echinopsis 'Paramount Red'

Scientific Classification

Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Cactoideae
Tribe: Trichocereeae
Genus: Echinopsis

Description

Echinopsis 'Red Paramount' is a semi-columnar cactus with a dark green multi-ribbed stem with ribs lined with white wooly areoles bearing clusters of short spines. The stem can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter.

This cactus is a profuse bloomer with many flushes from spring through summer. The flowers are orange-red with lighter orange back petals. They are trumpet-shaped and can reach up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.

Origin

Echinopsis 'Red Paramount' is a hybrid introduced by Harry Johnson.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 9b to 10b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

If you can grow cacti and succulents successfully, you can likely grow the Echinopsis species without too much trouble. Like many cacti, they prefer a drying period between waterings, even when slightly wilt. When you water, however, you should water deeply. The plant will noticeably plump up. The cactus mustn't be exposed to prolonged dampness and sitting water. Never let your cactus sit in a dish of water. Lastly, ensure fertilizer during the growing season for the best results.

Echinopsis can be easily rooted from offsets, which tend to cluster around the base of the mother plant. Cut offsets close to the stem, at the narrowest possible place. When rooting cacti from cuttings, let the fresh cutting dry out slightly on a paper towel and cut the cacti at the narrowest place possible. After a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the cut surface, the cut surface should have dried out and formed a callous or slightly rough opening. Once the callous has formed, place the cutting in a rooting mixture of fast-draining cacti soil.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Echinopsis

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