Euphorbia lactea f. cristata

Euphorbia lactea f. cristata

Aloe perfoliata 'Fang'

Aloe perfoliata 'Fang'

Kroenleinia grusonii

Golden Barrel Cactus
Size
ex 1L pots - Large chunky plants
Availability: In stock
£14.99
Quick Overview
  • Distinctive barrel cactus
  • Dense golden spines
  • Small yellow flowers when mature
  • Full sun and a well-drained alkaline substrate
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend

Kroenleinia grusonii, Golden Barrel Cactus is a well-known large-growing barrel cactus from northeast Mexico but is most usually known under its synonym Echinocactus grusonii. Yes, the cactus that you have known and loved as Echinocactus grusonii all these years has had a taxonomic rebrand! Molecular analysis has shown that this species is the result of hybrid speciation between Echinocactus and Ferocactus and the new genus Kroenleinia was formed to acccomodate this phylogenetic finding. This taxonomic placement is now recognised by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in their Plants of the World Online listing. However, it is such an iconic and well-loved cactus that it might well take several generations for growers and collectors to follow suit and recognise the new name.

Although widely grown in cultivation, in 2009, Kroenleinia grusonii was assesesed by the IUCN Red List as endangered in the wild where it has been subjected to habitat destruction and poaching and is found in fragmented disjunct subpopulations.

A very easy cactus to grow, the main requirements for Kroenleinia grusonii are warmth and a well-drained substrate. Although it displays some reasonable cold tolerance (probably due to it being found in the wild between 1400 and 1900 m elevation) it can not be considered hardy in the UK and is best grown either as a houseplant or in a cool glasshouse under fleece.


Additional Information

Order Caryophyllales
Family Cactaceae
Sub-Family Cactoideae
Synonyms Echinocactus corynacanthus, Echinocactus galeottii, Echinocactus grusonii, Echinocereus grusonii var. azureus, Echinocereus grusonii, Ferocactus grusonii
Geographical Origin Mexico: Hidalgo, Querétaro, Zacatecas
Cultivation A free-draining gritty alkaline soil. Full sun. Water in growing season only
Eventual Height 60-70cm
Eventual Spread 50-60cm
Hardiness Has some mild cold tolerance but not hardy outdoors in the UK. Best indoors or in a cool glasshouse where it is best kept well-fleeced
Kroenleinia grusonii
Golden Barrel Cactus
Size
ex 1L pots - Large chunky plants
Availability: In stock
£14.99
You could receive 20 Palm Points for writing a review for this product.
Add to My Wishlist Add to Compare Email to a Friend
content image

Free DELIVERY

ON ALL ORDERS OVER £99

THIS OFFER IS VALID ON ALL OUR STORE ITEMS.