The nuances of growing an unusual plant of echinocactus Gruzoni
Echinocactus Gruzoni is one of the most popular representatives of the succulent family native to the deserts of Central America. It is highly valued among gardeners for its unusual, spectacular appearance, ease and unpretentiousness in care, thanks to which even a novice florist can easily cope with growing a plant.
Plant features
The main features of Echinocactus Gruzoni:
- Succulent has a spherical shape, which becomes more oblong as it grows (after 12-15 years). It is provided by many ribs - most often there are up to 30-45 pieces.
- Echinocactus does not have "children" and side shoots, being a large single stem.
- Under natural conditions, echinocactus can reach gigantic sizes - up to 2-3 m in stem diameter. When grown on a windowsill, the diameter does not exceed 30-50 cm.
- The plant is densely covered with erect or slightly curved spines. The length of the peripheral spines is up to 3 cm, the central ones are up to 5-6 cm.
- The flowering of echinocactus Gruzoni is very rare, even in natural conditions, the buds bloom only on adult plants over 20-25 years old.
- Echinocactus inflorescences bloom in spring. The buds are single, 6-7 cm in diameter, blooming alternately. Their colors depend on the variety.
- Echinocactus Gruzoni is a real "long-liver" among succulents. The age of this plant can reach 100-300 years.
Echinocactus got its name in honor of Hermann Gruzon, a leading German botanist who became famous for his huge collection of cacti.
Echinocactus Gruzoni - common species
In nature, there are more than 200 varieties of Echinocactus Gruzoni. But most of these varieties are large, so only a few compact succulents are grown at home.
Common varieties of echinocactus Gruzoni:
- Flat-spiked - can reach up to 1.5 m in width and 2 m in height. Spines are grayish, straight. During the flowering period, it is covered with yellow tubular inflorescences.
- Pari is a spherical cactus up to 30 cm high, which becomes more elongated with age. The plant is covered with long pink spines, which turn white with age.
- Horizontal - this name of a cactus with red needles is due to the shape of the stem, which does not grow in height, but becomes flattened. Over time, the needles change their color from red to amber. Flowers of an unusual scarlet or purple hue.
- Wide-spined - the cactus is abundantly covered with gray spines. Reaches 1.6-2 m in height. Inflorescences are yellowish-orange, funnel-shaped.
- Multi-headed - also called "rainbow echinocactus". This is the only representative of succulents up to 65-75 cm high, which is distinguished by needles of various shades - they can be purple, scarlet, pink.
Often on the shelves of flower shops you can see unusual cacti with bright purple, pink, lilac, yellow or blue needles. That is why novice florists often have a question, what is the name of a cactus with yellow needles.
In fact, a cactus with purple needles or other bright colors does not exist in nature. This is a common marketing ploy. Plants are simply dyed with food dyes or printer dyes.
The same marketing ploy is used in the sale of the so-called rainbow echinocactus. It combines a green stem and thorns colored in different shades of the rainbow. If you run your hand over such a plant, the dye particles may remain on the fingers. With regular care, Echinocactus quickly regains its natural color.
Growing echinocactus Gruzoni
Growing echinocactus Gruzoni does not cause any particular difficulties, therefore this plant is popular with novice florists. But it must be borne in mind that the full growth, development and flowering of echinocactus is possible only when creating an optimal microclimate - temperature, humidity and illumination.
Site selection and lighting
The best conditions for growing Echinocactus Gruzoni are considered to be the sun, warmth and good air ventilation. The plant loves bright sunlight and can be placed in direct sunlight.
It is advisable to place a pot with a flower on a windowsill from the south, southeast or southwest side, and in the summer to take out to a balcony or garden. Large plants are best grown in greenhouses or greenhouses.
With a lack of lighting, the spines of the echinocactus become thin and begin to crumble. Therefore, during short daylight hours, the plant needs additional, artificial lighting.
Temperature regime
Caring for echinocactus Rainbow, like other varieties of succulents, requires adherence to the correct temperature regime. The plant tolerates temperatures from + 22 ° С to + 26 ° С well. But an increase of more than + 30 ° C should not be allowed - this negatively affects the growth of echinocactus, causing it to stop.
In winter, echinocactus is at rest, so it requires a decrease in air temperature not lower than + 10 ° C. At lower rates, the surface of the cactus freezes, begins to discolor, and brown spots appear on it.
Soil selection
An important point in caring for echinocactus grusonii is choosing the right soil and pot for growing it. To do this, you can use a breathable nutrient substrate intended for succulents.
If it is not possible to buy a ready-made substrate, you can prepare it yourself:
- river sand - 2 parts;
- leaf land - 2 parts;
- sod land - 4 parts;
- small gravel pebbles or broken brick - 1 part.
Add some small pebbles, gravel or vermiculite to the finished soil. This will improve the quality of the substrate and remove excess moisture.
Proper care of echinocactus Gruzoni
There are several rules on how to care for the red echinocactus Gruzoni, as well as other varieties of the globular succulent. Plant care consists of several stages - watering, fertilizing, timely transplants. Of no small importance is the preventive treatment of echinocactus from diseases and pests.
Watering
In the phase of active growth (until about the end of August), echinocactus needs regular watering. But they should not be too abundant, as high humidity can cause black rot on the plant's root system.
Echinocactus should be watered at least once every 15 days, guided by the state of the topsoil. By October, watering must be completely stopped, since in winter the plant is dormant.
Top dressing
Top dressing is required for echinocactus Gruzoni at the initial stage of the growing season. Fertilization is carried out from April to September no more than 1 time in 3-4 weeks.
For this, complex mineral fertilizers are used, which contain phosphorus, calcium and potassium. They are diluted according to the manufacturer's instructions and used for watering echinocactus.
Transfer
Echinocactus transplant is performed every 3-4 years. This must be done very carefully, since the plant has a fragile root system that is sensitive to any external factors. The transplant is carried out in the spring months, for this a flower pot is used, the diameter of which is 4-5 cm larger than the previous one.
How to transplant echinocactus Gruzoni:
- Remove the plant from the flowerpot and carefully examine its root system. Remove any broken, rotten or damaged roots.
- Sprinkle the damaged areas of the roots with crushed activated charcoal tablets and leave for 3 days in a clean and dry container.
- Fill the bottom of the flower pot with a layer of drainage 2 cm thick. For this, you can use crushed brick, expanded clay, small pebbles.
- Fill the pot with a fertile medium designed for growing succulents.
- Place the echinocactus inside the pot and gently straighten its roots.
- Cover the roots of the plant with soil and lightly tamp, sprinkle with small pebbles on top.
Echinocactus Gruzoni is an unusual and attractive plant, one of the most popular succulents. Its advantages are considered to be a bright and effective appearance, ease of growing and unpretentious care. With minimal care of the grower, echinocactus will delight you with luxurious, colorful flowering.