Ferocactus glaucescens (Blue Barrel Cactus) is a medium-sized barrel cactus native to Mexico. It is an attractive cactus with a bluish-grey colour and spherical shape. Blue Barrel Cactus don’t require much watering and can be grown indoors. They grow well in containers outdoors and will still produce their bright, yellow flowers during summer. This species is very hardy and can tolerate a temperature range of -5 to 45°C / 23 to 113°F.
Suitable for cold, temperate, sub-tropical and tropical climates.
Growth
Ferocactus glaucescens is a slow growing cactus variety that reaches heights of up 55 cm (2 feet). Blue Barrel Cactus will easily grow from seeds and are sown during spring or summer. They prefer a well-drained soil and don’t require much watering. Avoid wetting the body while they are in direct sunlight. This can lead to sun burning which can result in scars, fungal infections and even kill the of these plants.
Unlike some cacti, their yellow spikes are uniform and will grow to 2.5-4 cm (over 1 inch). They take around 3-5 years to start producing flowers which are yellow and bloom in late spring or summer. The fruits that follow are white and are roughly 2 cm long.
Blue Barrel Cactus can sometimes be mistaken for Ferocactus echidne and may even hybridize with that species.
If growing in cooler climates, keep in mind that cacti don’t need water while they are dormant during winter, and can rot if the soil is too moist. The trickiest part if growing them outdoors is keeping the soil fairly dry during cold wet periods. It is best to keep them in containers until they are a couple of years old and well established before planting them outdoors. Raised beds or rockeries where the soil can drain easily are beneficial. Of course you can keep them indoors or in pots outdoors, so that you can move them to a protected area in winter.
FAMILY:
Cactaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Mediterranean, Sub-Tropical, Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5 to 45°C / 23 to 113°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil MUST be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 55 cm (2 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 50 cm (2 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
3-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-3 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT FEROCACTUS GLAUCESCENS (Blue Barrel Cactus)
The Blue Barrel Cactus is native to the state of Hidalgo in Mexico.
Other synonyms for Ferocactus glaucescens include Bisnaga glaucescens, Echinocactus glaucescens, Echinocactus pfeifferi and Ferocactus pfeifferi.
Cuttings can be made off the stem and be used to grown new plants. Simply lay them in a shady, dry place for a few days to allow the skin to firm up. They can then be transplanted into a small pot where they will receive direct sunlight. This cuttings will often take root and start growing into new plants.
