Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus pilosus) is a clumping, barrel shaped cactus that is native to Mexico. The species can grow to over 2 metres tall and can form many pups around the base, their spines are bright red and make it one of the most stunning ornamental cacti in the world.
Ferocactus pilosus develop a ring of flowers on top of its barrel, that are a fiery red and orange. Apart from being incredibly beautiful; these flowers are edible.
This species is suitable as an indoor or potted plant but will not grow as large in these circumstances.
Growth
Ferocactus pilosus is slow growing and hardy to hot, dry conditions. It can be grown in temperate climates, but it is best to keep them in containers until they are a couple of years old and well established before planting them outdoors, or of course; you can keep them indoors.
The barrel shaped trunk is green, spiny and can reach up to 2.5 metres tall in its native climate, it will develop smaller pups around its base but this can take many years. Its red spines vary in size, usually around 2-4 cm’s long, they often look larger on juvenile plants but even themselves out as they age. The red and orange flowers grow in a ring on top of the cactus in late Spring to early Summer and are approximately 2.5 cm’s in diameter.
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:
-3 to 40°C / 27 to 104°F
SOIL TYPE:
Soil MUST be well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 2.5 metres (8 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to ½ metre (1.6 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.0
GROWTH TYPE:
Evergreen
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light
POLLINATION:
Bees. Bisexual
MATURITY:
3-5 years
GERMINATION RATES:
60-84%
GERMINATION TIME:
2-4 weeks
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 1500-2000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
No
WEED POTENTIAL:
No
FACTS ABOUT FEROCACTUS PILOSUS (Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus)
The Mexican Fire Barrel Cactus is also known as the Mexican Lime Cactus.
Due to the slow growth rates, illegal removal of plants and the picking of the flowers for consumption, sadly this species is threatened in its native lands.
