Crassula rupestris subsp. marnieriana

Crassula rupestris subsp. marnieriana

Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy'

Echeveria runyonii 'Topsy Turvy'

Echinocactus texensis

Horse Crippler, Devil's Pincushion, Horse Crippler Cactus, Devil’s Head, Candy Cactus, Barrel Cactus
Size
ex 1L pots
Availability: Sold Out
£21.99
Quick Overview
  • Small-growing barrel cactus
  • The hardiest of the genus - keep dry in winter
  • Full sun
  • Water in growing season only
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Echinocactus texensis is the hardiest of the Echinocactus, growing as far north as Oklahoma and south across the border into Mexico. It is slow-growing and a relatively small Echinocactus with an olive-green body, pronounced and slightly undulating ribs, stout spines and usually pinkish flowers with a darker throat that are followed by bright orange-red edible fruit. It has been remorselessly and senselessly persecuted by ranchers throughout much of its range because of its common name, Horse Crippler. Any cactus should be protected in its native habitat and that such a wonderful plant should be killed off just because of a name shows you how far we are from valuing nature and how far we have to go.

Grow Echinocactus texensis in a mineral alkaline substrate that is sandy and very gritty - ideally with the addition of limestone chunks and basalt rock dust. If you live in a suitable dry or southerly location and are experimenting with it outdoors, a raised bed or on a sloping south-facing gradient are ideal options. It is important to have a perfectly drained substrate with little-to-no organic matter and this applies whether it is grown indoors, in a cool glasshouse or if you brave it outdoors. Keeping it dry under an overhang or beneath a rainshelter are also good ideas. In its native range, it can experience snow cover but while it is small it will be sensible to fleece it during the worst of the sub-zero temperatures. Once it has experienced a few winters outdoors and become established you will have a greater understanding of how it performs in your particular location.

A choice and desirable cactus.


Additional Information

Order Caryophyllales
Family Cactaceae
Sub-Family Cactoideae
Synonyms Echinocactus courantianus, Echinocactus lindheimeri, Echinocactus platycephalus, Echinocactus texensis var. longispinus, Echinocactus texensis var. treculianus, Homalocephala texensis
Geographical Origin USA: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma; Mexico: Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Durango, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas
Cultivation Full sun. Alkaline gritty substrate. Needs little water but should be well-watered on sunny days during the summer to encourage growth. Dry in winter. Also a great houseplant
Eventual Height 20-25cm
Eventual Spread 25-30cm
Hardiness Hardy to around -15C in the dry North American winters but in the UK you will need to carefully consider positioning this valuable cactus. Obviously fine in a cool glasshouse or indoors but outdoors it will need perfect drainage and probably protection
Echinocactus texensis
Horse Crippler, Devil's Pincushion, Horse Crippler Cactus, Devil’s Head, Candy Cactus, Barrel Cactus
Size
ex 1L pots
Availability: Sold Out
£21.99
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend
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