Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus) is a perennial cacti endemic to dry regions of Mexico. It makes an attractive indoor plant, is low maintenance and can be grown in containers. Almost extinct in the wild, this species is grown in botanical gardens around the world. Golden Barrel Cacti can live for around thirty years and will grow to a maximum height of 1 metre (3 feet).
This species is suitable as an indoor or potted plant but will not grow as large in these circumstances.
Growth
Echinocactus grusonii is a well know species of cactus that is native to Mexico. Growing like a spherical dome, the plant is widely grown by nurseries and landscapers as an ornamental in designer gardens.
The cacti produces sharp spines that are e long, straight and are often various shades of yellow or white. Small yellow flowers can appear in summer near the crown of the plant but only after around twenty years of age. Golden Barrel Cactus usually live for around 30 years.
Echinocactus grusonii do best in well-drained and in consistent bright light.
FAMILY:
Cactaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 40°C / 23 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil MUST be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun or Indoors
HEIGHT:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 50 cm (2 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees
MATURITY:
Up to 20 years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-3 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT ECHINOCACTUS GRUSONII (Golden Barrel Cactus)
The Golden Barrel Cactus is also known as Mother-in-Law’s Cushion.
The Golden Barrel Cactus is one of the more popular cacti in cultivation and is popular as an architectural plant in contemporary gardens.
Up to 35 pronounced ribs can be found in mature plants but they are not observed in younger plants.
The population of Golden Barrel Cacti in the wild was critically reduced in the 1990s by the creation of the Zimapán Dam in Mexico.
Germination Instructions
HOW TO GROW ECHINOCACTUS GRUSONII (Golden Barrel Cactus)
Step 1
Soak the seeds in a glass of water for 24 hours, changing the water after 12 hours.
Step 2
Prepare a seedling tray or pot/s with a well draining cactus raising soil. Sow the seeds on the surface of the soil and cover with 1-2 mm’s of further cactus mix.
Use a spray bottle or light mist hose to moisten the soil, do not soak the soil as this may rot your seeds and encourage bacteria growth.
Cover the pot/s or tray with clear plastic, glass or some kitchen wrap to create a humid environment and the place them into a warm area that gets lots of light, without direct sunlight. Keep moist by using a mist spray if necessary but never wet.
Ideal germination temperatures are 24-28°C / 75-83°F
Germination will begin in ideal conditions between 1-3 weeks
Step 3
Once several seeds have germinated, slowly begin to remove the clear covering to allow some air circulation and to help the young seedlings adjust to the outdoor environment. Remove the covering a bit at a time over 1-2 weeks.
Step 3
Seedlings can be transplanted (if necessary) once they are strong enough to handle. They can also be hardened off if they are going to be outdoor plants. Hardening off can be achieved by placing them out into direct morning sun for an hour for 1-2 days and then gradually increasing this time until they are out in full sun all day (which is their preferred location). Only increase each step if they are doing well.
Step 4
For intended outdoor plants we recommend keeping them in pots until they are in their 2nd year and only plant out in Spring after you are sure that any chance of frost has definitely passed. This will give them 8-9 months to become established enough to cope with winter.
In climates where winter is quite dreary and the plants will not get a lot of sunshine, do not give any extra water. Cacti are prone to root rot and do not tolerate soggy soil.
Golden Barrel Cactus will take roughly 15-20 years to begin flowering.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are not familiar with Cacti, they do not need a lot of water, they store water in fleshy trunks and branches. Only water when the soil is completely dry and only while it is actively growing (Spring, Summer – can be climate dependent). They generally do not water during cooler, darker months while the cactus is dormant.
