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  Echinocereus grandis CACTUS ART
NURSERY

Cultivation and Mail Sale
of Cacti and Succulents.


Echinocereus grandis (San Estebán Island, Baia California, Mexico)
It is one of the largest of the upright-stemmed hedgehog cacti, it is not the longest-stemmed, but it is the most massive. Plants in cultivation often grows for a long time with single solitary columnar stems.
 

Description: Echinocereus grandis is one of the largest of the upright-stemmed hedgehog cacti, It is solitary, or occasionally branched to form small clusters up to 15 stems, the branches grows from the base. It is not the longest-stemmed, but it is the most massive. The stems sometimes lay down under their own weight. Plants in cultivation often grows for a long time with single solitary columnar stems.
Stems: Sub-cylindric,10-50 cm tall, 8-12 cm in diameter.
Ribs: (18 to) 21 to 25 low.
Areoles: Large, elongated, close-set approx 1 cm apart.
Spines: Dull white to cream-colored quite short, spreading, and stiff.
Central spines: Very slender light-colored 8 to 12 often in two rows.
Radial spines: 15 to 25 radials, 1-10 mm long pressed next to the skin.
Flowers: Diurnal, narrowly funnelform, white or pale yellow with greenish base, unusually narrow, 5-8 cm in diameter, 5-7 cm long, near the stem tips. The plants coming from San Lorenzo Island often have rosy-coloured to pink/violet flowers. The pericarpel is densely covered with straw coloured spines and white hairs. Filaments green, style white, stigma lobes green. Floral remains are difficult to detach from the plant and can set up stem rot.
Blooming season:  It flowers annually in March-April,  the flowers  remain open for 2 or 3 days.  Blooming generally begins 7 to 10 years after sowing, as the plant matures.
Fruits: The fruits are very spiny.

Photo gallery: Alphabetical listing of Cactus and Succulent pictures published in this site.

Photo gallery Echinocereus
 


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Family: Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Scientific name:  Echinocereus grandis Britton & Rose
Cactaceae 3:18. 1922.

E. grandis is very similar to Echinocereus websterianus and some authors have linked these two species, being uncertain of whether they are in fact one or two species.

Etymology: Latin 'grandis', large; for the large growth.

This species is very similar to E. grandis and it is uncertain of whether they are in fact one or two species.

Common English Names include:
Giant rainbow cactus, Giant  Hedgehog Cactus, San Pedro Nolasco hedgehog cactus.

Origin:
Mexico (Gulf of California, several island in the sea of Cortez, San Estebán Island, San Lorenzo Island, Nolasco Island and Las Animas ) It is unclear though whether the plant is actually to be found growing on the Baja California mainland, or whether it is only an islands based endemic, like some other species. Type locality: San Esteban Island.

Habitat: Dry creek bed, beach and low hills on the island

Conservation status: Listed in CITES appendix 2.

Synonyms:

  • Echinocereus pectinatus var. grandis

 

Cultivation:  This cactus is cultivated and highly priced for its flowers and tall columnar gold spined stems.   It is among the easiest species to grow, flower and propagate but a slow grower. Water regularly from March to October.  Rot prone in winter, it needs good drainage.  It prefers a deep pot. It is though a holy terror when you attempt to repot it, even the slightest touch seems to break off the spine clusters, a very difficult issue to avoid if you are moving a larger plant! Unfortunately, this tendency also permanently marks the plant and be aware that such faults are not necessarily due to poor cultivation! but in the greenhouse we will normally cut it and re-root its top when it gets too long. The base, of course, will produce more pups which can also be taken and re-rooted. It require strong sunlight to maintain a healthy appearance, and a harsh "dry and cool" winter environment combined with maximum light exposure enhances spring flower production.  Avoid freezing temperature.

Propagation: Seeds or cuttings if available.

Traditional uses: Fleshy parts where used for candles.
 

 


Home | E-mail | Plant files | Mail Sale Catalogue | Links | Information | Search

All the information and photos in cactus art file are now available also in the new the Enciclopedia of Cacti. We hope you find this new site informative and useful.