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The hedgehog cactus , Echinocereus ( ek - in - oh - KER - ee - us ) is a ribbed , cylindrical cactus plant and part of the family Cactaceae and genus Echinocereus .
The hedgehog industrial plant name comes from the Greek ‘ echinos ’ mean hedgehog . The Latin word ‘ cereus , ’ stand for candle and is a cite to the soma of the plant ’s floral metro .
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The hedgehog cactus is aboriginal to Mexico and South Western US . It is a bombastic species of encompassing varieties with different growths and flowering .
broadly speak , you could divide the flora into two major species .
The well flowering species and the globular species more discrete from their spines .
works such as :
… are part of the flowering species with beautiful blooms ranging from regal - reddish to pinkish - purpleness in color .
… are the more globular varieties with bloom that range widely from pink and white to grayish - blue and jaundiced .
Echinocereus can go for years ( like theCephalocereus Old Man Cactus ) and are in force to go all yr around . This makes them incredibly attractive choice for houseplant .
instruct Man Cactus care .
Hedgehog Cactus Care
Size and Growth
Unlike its cousin plants requiring a lot of travail to grow and wish for , Echinocereus cacti rarely acquire over a pes tall and only a few inches in width .
They have a generally boring outgrowth charge per unit .
Echinocereus is a corking houseplant but is well grow alongside other cacti to assist it flower its expert .
Hedgehog Cactus Flower and Fragrance
Echinocereus come in many varieties all of different colors , shapes , and sizes .
These are further carve up into three categories .
Most Echinocereus have large flowers and green mark lobe . They bloom the most in springiness but are prostrate to sporadic bursts of development at other times of the year .
The flowers bloom for about a week and have no fragrance .
They are interesting because of the style they open during the day and confining at dark .
However , some varieties may be nocturnal . plant not place in well - lit environments may have trouble flower .
Light and Temperature
This cactus is a unaccented have a go at it plant and should be place in a spot where they get plenty of sunlight such as a westerly face windowpane .
These plants can take full sun and will thrive in it supply they get enough water . Six to eight hours of sun daily is idealistic .
During the wintertime months , give the plants a bright , nerveless , and hoar - free house . Echinocereus is generally estimable at put up cold temperatures until about 50 degrees Fahrenheit .
Water and Feeding
The water supply and feed requirements for each variety will disagree . The hairy and setaceous variety is best kept on the siccative side , even in summertime because they are very sensitive to overwatering .
Overwatering can go to crown and ancestor rot – peculiarly in the wintertime months .
On the other hand , unripe and less spiny varieties enjoy lots of water . Even then , be careful to let the soil dry out between watering .
Watering every two weeks is a good rule of thumb .
During the summertime months , a steady dose of dilute cactus plant food will help the plant thrive .
Soil and Transplanting
Though this plant is capable of handling richer soils , it is best to use a typical cactus territory for best upshot .
Repot the plant only when it outgrow its present passel . This happens every yr or so .
When repotting , take extra care not to damage the industrial plant ’s roots as these are shallow - rooted and damage easily .
Grooming and Maintenance
The plant is generally easy to manage for and does not command too much training or sustainment .
Related : Cereus Peruvianus Monstrose Growing and aid
How to Propagate Echinocereus Cacti
Propagating Echinocereus depends on the plant variety .
The clumping variety propagates best by removing stolon . Once you transfer the prow , let the cutting dry out for a few days before planting in moist cactus soil .
Keep it warm and barely moist until it settle down .
The stem the true may be seed sown in the spring in sandy soil .
Once planted , keep them ardent and moist until they root . It ’s of import to keep in mind that these plant may take a long meter to germinate – up to two week almost . So be patient !
Echinocereus Pest or Disease Problems
This cactus genus are susceptible to scale dirt ball and mealy bug .
These pests are comparatively easy to get rid of . Carefully dispatch them with a toothpick and make certain to wipe down the plant .
There is also the risk of exposure of take onroot mealy bug . These are flyspeck insects that lactate the plant juices from the roots causing the plant to turn pale .
Repot the plant in unfermented soil and body of water with an insect powder ( neem oil ) to prevent further attacks .
Suggested Echinocereus Uses
Due to their beautiful show and promiscuous nature , these plants are ideal for keeping as a part of a heavy cacti garden .
They even make for attractive , no fuss houseplants generate the right conditions for their increase .
