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The rare intermediate spine form (grafted shoot)
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Description: This plant differs from the common
Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus
grusonii) for the spines that are intermediate in length
between the standard from and the short spined type
"brevispinus" . Except for the spines it is identical in
shape and size to the standard species. It has a single slowly
growing globe-shaped stem that became elongated (barrel-shaped) in
maturity, up to 90cm (180cm) in height and spread. This
stem is pale green and heavily
ribbed with numerous
areoles sprouting
radial, yellow spines. They normally
offset with advanced age and a few multiples occur even at small
sizes.
The
flowers are produced from end of spring to summer only on larger
mature
specimens receiving enough
full sun. Flower are
diurnal, vivid yellow (4-5 cm wide) and form a circular ring
at the top of the plant, but are not very visible being small in
relation with the size of the barrel, and lost into the creamy coloured
wool at the plant
apex.
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A young seedling with juvenile tuberculate ribs.
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Culture:
Frost tender but
resistant to very
dry conditions,
Cold hardiness increases with improved
drainage, so keep plants as dry as possible in
winter.
They grow best in well-drained soil and in a position with
full sun, which will help to
maintain the lustre of the spines and
longevity of the flowers. Provide
the plant with extremely
well-drained soils, as the plants are subject to
crown and
soft rot
if they remain too moist. Besides, it performs
wonderfully in containers,
Container media should be coarse as well.
Young plants are
prone to
mealy bug and
red spider mite. Propagate from
cuttings or seed.
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Photo of
conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of
Echinocactus grusonii:
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
