Ferocactus emoryi
| Light | Full sun; a bright, open position all year |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; soak only when the soil has dried out, keep dry in winter |
| Soil | Very free-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Best kept above freezing; tolerates brief light frost when bone dry; USDA zones 9–11 |
| Propagation | Seed (see Propagation — seed) |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs (though the spines are hazardous) |
Ferocactus emoryi is a robust, solitary barrel cactus of the Sonoran Desert, easily recognised by the single heavy, flattened and hooked central spine that rises from each areole. It bears a crown of deep red (occasionally yellow) funnel-shaped flowers in summer, and is commonly known as Emory's barrel cactus. It was long grown and sold under the name Ferocactus covillei, now treated as a synonym.
Description
Ferocactus emoryi forms a stout, ribbed globe when young that lengthens into a barrel or short column with age, eventually reaching up to about two metres tall and some 30–60 cm across in habitat, though most plants are smaller; cultivated plants smaller still. The body is a rich green, divided into prominent ribs bearing large, closely spaced areoles.
The spination is the species' signature. Each areole produces a ring of stiff radial spines and, above them, one massive central spine that is broad, often flattened or slightly ribbon-like, annulated (ringed) along its length, and strongly hooked or curved at the tip. Spine colour ranges from reddish and grey to nearly black, ageing paler.
Flowers appear at the woolly crown in summer, opening in a bright ring. They are funnel-shaped and deep red, or occasionally yellow, followed by fleshy, scaly fruits that open by a pore at the base.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the Sonoran Desert, growing in southern Arizona in the United States and across much of Sonora and neighbouring parts of northwestern Mexico. It favours rocky slopes, gravelly flats and desert bajadas in full sun, in soils that drain freely and stay dry for long stretches.
Like all cacti, Ferocactus emoryi is listed under CITES Appendix II, which regulates international trade. Nursery-grown plants are widely and legally available; wild collection is neither necessary nor permitted.
Cultivation
Ferocactus emoryi is a tough, sun-loving barrel that rewards a hot, bright position and sharp drainage. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix and give it as much light as you can — strong sun brings out the heaviest spination and the best colour, while too little light produces weak, pale growth. Water thoroughly through the warm months once the soil has dried, then keep the plant dry and cool over winter to avoid rot and to encourage flowering.
The species is slow but long-lived and untroubled by heat. In climates with wet or freezing winters it is safest grown in a pot that can be moved under cover and kept dry. See Watering and Repotting for general technique, and handle the plant with care — the hooked central spines catch skin and clothing readily.
Propagation
Seed is the standard and most reliable method. Sow onto a warm, gritty surface kept humid until germination, then grow the seedlings on hard in bright light. The species is normally solitary and does not offset, so vegetative propagation is rarely an option. See Propagation — seed for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot — the most common cause of loss, almost always from overwatering, a slow-draining mix, or moisture sitting in the crown over winter; the plant softens and discolours from the base.
- Weak, pale growth — too little light produces a soft, etiolated body and poor spines; give the plant maximum sun.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff among the areoles and roots) and red spider mites can appear on stressed plants. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Ferocactus — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Propagation — seed · Pests and diseases