Ferocactus gracilis (Fire Barrel Cactus) is a beautiful barrel cactus with red spikes and flowers. It is native to the state of Baja California in Mexico. Fire Barrel Cacti are a large solitary cactus with a ribbed barrel and can grow to around 3 metres (10 feet) tall. They are easy to grow from seed and can be positioned indoors or out. This particular species is known for its stunning red flowers that bloom throughout spring and summer.
Fire Barrel Cactus is suitable for temperate, sub tropical and tropical climates.
Growth
Ferocactus gracilis is a slow-growing cactus that can reach heights of up to 3 metres (10 feet). It enjoys warm and hot climates but can tolerate cold freezes down to -5°C / 23°F. They grow in a spherical shape and are covered with uniform red spikes that reach up to 7 cm (3 inches) long. During the warmer months During the summer it is better to keep the plants outside where they thrive on temperatures over 40°C / 104°F. Fire Barrel Cactis are one of the slower cacti to grow but can still produce red flowers in under five years.
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:
7 to 40°C / 45 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil MUST be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 50 cm metres (2 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees
MATURITY:
4-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
70-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
1-3 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 500
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT FEROCACTUS GRACILIS (Fire Barrel Cactus)
Ferocactus gracilis was discovered by Howard Gates in 1928 who later named the plant in 1933.
Germination Instructions
HOW TO GROW FEROCACTUS GRACILIS (Fire 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.
Fire Barrel Cactus will take roughly 3-5 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.
