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E. grusonii forma mostruosa
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Description: This is a free
offsetting small
form of
E. grusonii that is covered by yellowhish-white
wool with short yellow
spines.
The
rib structure is not yet apparent, and they have pronounced
tubercles making them look superficially like
Mammillarias.
With age they will form large crowded clumps.
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Family:
Cactaceae (Cactus
Family)
Scientific Name:
Echinocactus
grusonii forma mostruosa
Origin:
Garden origin (Nursery
produced cultivar)
Conservation status: Listed in
CITES appendix 2.
Vernacular Names:
- Monstrous Golden barrel cactus,
- Monstrous Golden ball cactus,
- Monstrous Mother-in-law's-seat,
- Monstrous Mother-in-law's-cushion.
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Cultivation:
Frost tender
but
cold hardiness increases with improved
drainage, so keep plants as dry as possible in
winter.
Provide the plant with extremely
well-drained soils, as plants
are subject to
crown and
soft rot
if they remain too moist. They grow best in
full sun
or half shade, which will help to
maintain the lustre of the spines and plants compact. They are
prone to
mealy bug and
red spider mite.
Frost Tolerance: Light frost protection required for
safe cultivation, but can tolerate sporadic light frost.
Diseases and pests:
Watch for infestations of
mealybug, scale insects and spider mite.
Propagation: From
cuttings
(but it is
difficult to grow this plant on its
own roots)
or preferably by
grafting.
Photo of
conspecific taxa, varieties, forms and cultivars of
Echinocactus grusonii:
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Cultivation and Mail Sale 
