Ferocactus chrysacanthus
| Light | Full sun to bright light; loves strong light to colour the spines |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderately in growth; allow to dry fully between waterings, dry rest in winter |
| Soil | Fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Ferocactus chrysacanthus is a barrel cactus native to Cedros Island off the Pacific coast of Baja California, Mexico, prized among growers for its dense covering of curving, golden to reddish spines. The species name chrysacanthus means "golden-spined," and it is those flattened, curved spines — glowing yellow, amber or rich red in strong light — that make it one of the most ornamental of the barrel cacti. It is sometimes sold under the common name golden-spined barrel.
Description
Ferocactus chrysacanthus forms a solitary, roughly cylindrical to barrel-shaped body that stays globular when young and elongates with age, reaching a substantial size in cultivation over many years. The green body carries numerous prominent ribs lined with closely set areoles.
The chief attraction is the spination: each areole bears a spray of long, flattened, curving central spines that vary from bright golden yellow through amber to deep red, over a finer set of thinner radial spines. The dense, interlacing spines partly veil the body and catch the light beautifully. Bell-shaped flowers appear near the crown in spring and summer, yellow and sometimes flushed red, followed by dryish fruit.
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to Cedros Island (Isla Cedros), a rugged island in the Pacific off the west coast of the Baja California peninsula. There it grows on rocky slopes and hillsides in a dry, mild, maritime climate moderated by ocean fog, rooting in gritty, sharply drained ground among other desert and coastal-scrub vegetation.
As with all cacti, the family is listed under CITES Appendix II, and island-endemic populations are inherently limited; nursery-propagated plants are the proper source for collectors, and wild collection should never be undertaken.
Cultivation
Ferocactus chrysacanthus is a rewarding, relatively vigorous barrel that thrives on strong light — indeed, the brighter the light, the more intense the spine colour. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix and give it full sun wherever the climate allows. Water moderately through the warm growing season once the soil has dried, then keep the plant dry and cool over winter to prevent rot and encourage flowering.
Like most ferocacti it appreciates warmth and resents cold, wet conditions; protect it from hard frost. See Watering and Repotting for general technique, and give the plant room, as it becomes a large, heavy specimen in time.
Propagation
Seed is the standard and reliable method, as the species stays solitary and rarely offsets. Sow onto a warm, mineral surface kept humid until germination, then grow the seedlings on with careful watering; barrel cacti are slow but steady from seed. See Propagation — seed for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot — almost always from overwatering or a slow-draining mix, especially in cool weather; the body softens and discolours from the base.
- Dull or sparse spines — insufficient light gives weaker, paler spination and loss of the golden-red colour that makes the plant special.
- Etiolation — too little light also makes the body grow narrow and pale instead of a fat, symmetrical barrel.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff among the spines and roots) and red spider mites are the usual culprits; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Ferocactus — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — seed · Repotting · Pests and diseases