Ο Echinocactus or otherwise white barrel cactus, mother-in-law's white ball or white pillow (Echinocactus grussonii) is a slow-growing type of cactus. Its shape resembles a barrel and reaches a height of 60 cm and a diameter of 60 to 90 cm. It belongs to the Cactaceae family. It comes from Mexico.
Description of the plant
Echinocactus or the golden cactus, golden ball or mother-in-law's pillow (Echinocactus grussonii) is barrel-shaped. Its stem is light green in color and bears from 20 to 35 thorns. Its flowers are funnel-shaped and yellow in color. Its flowering period is from May to July.
It is suitable for rock gardens, cactus gardens or compositions with cacti and succulents.
Plant care
Location
It thrives in bright and sunny places. A south-facing position will provide good sunlight.
Temperature
Withstands minimum temperatures down to -4°C.
Planting substrate
They exist in commerce substrates suitable for succulents and cacti. They consist of peat, a part of coarse river sand and sifted leaf soil. This mixture provides good aeration, excellent drainage and supply of nutrients.
Watering
There is a misconception that cacti and succulents require infinitesimal amounts of water. Although they store water in their leaves and stems, they certainly won't thrive with too little water. Water every 10-15 days during the growing season (late spring, summer, early autumn) and much more sparsely in winter.
Tip!
The secret is to always let the soil dry out between waterings.
Lubrication
Lubrication should be done during the growing season and stopped in winter. There are fertilizers on the market especially for cacti and succulents. Use a fertilizer that is high in potassium, as it strengthens cell structures and plant resistance to disease.
Diseases and enemies
Cacti and succulents are infested with enemies and diseases. Their most common enemies are aphids, granules, thrips, blackflies and snails, and they are often infected by fungi.
