Ferocactus herrerae
| Light | Bright, direct sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Moderately in the growing season; keep dry and cool in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Best kept above freezing; tolerates brief light frost when bone dry |
| Propagation | Seed |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Ferocactus herrerae is a slender, cylindrical barrel cactus native to western Mexico, distinguished by its long, hooked central spines and funnel-shaped yellow flowers marked with reddish midstripes. More elongated and gracefully columnar than many of its stouter relatives, it is a handsome member of the genus Ferocactus, the "barrel cacti," and a favourite among growers who enjoy fiercely armed plants.
Description
Ferocactus herrerae forms a solitary, deep-green stem that begins globular and lengthens with age into a slender cylinder, in time reaching a metre or more in height while staying comparatively narrow. The body carries numerous prominent ribs lined with closely set areoles.
Each areole bears a spreading fan of radial spines and several stouter centrals, the longest of which is flattened, annulated (ringed), and curved into a pronounced hook — a feature the species shares with several other barrels and one that makes handling and repotting a careful business. Spine colour ranges from reddish and amber to greyish with age.
Funnel-shaped flowers open near the crown in summer and early autumn, yellow with reddish midribs and brownish tips, and are followed by fleshy scaly fruits. As with the rest of the genus, flowering generally comes only with maturity and good light.
Distribution and habitat
The species occurs in western Mexico, chiefly in the coastal states of Sonora and Sinaloa and marginally into western Durango, growing on rocky slopes and in open thornscrub. There it experiences strong sun, sharply drained ground and a pronounced dry season, conditions that shape its cultivation needs. Like the whole cactus family it is listed under CITES Appendix II; nursery-raised plants are freely and legally traded, while collecting from the wild is not.
Cultivation
Ferocactus herrerae is a rewarding, undemanding barrel for a bright position. Give it the sunniest spot you can, a snug pot, and a very free-draining, largely mineral mix. During the warm months water thoroughly once the soil has dried, then allow it to dry again; taper off in autumn and keep the plant dry and cool through winter, which both prevents rot and encourages flowering. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Strong light is essential to keep the stem compact and the spination robust — plants grown too dark become pale and drawn. The hooked centrals warrant respect: use folded newspaper, foam, or thick gloves when moving a mature plant, as the hooks catch skin and clothing readily.
Propagation
Seed is the standard and most reliable method, as the species is normally solitary and does not offset. Sow on a warm, moist mineral surface and grow the seedlings on steadily; young Ferocactus are among the more forgiving cactus seedlings. See Propagation — seed for a full walkthrough. Where offsets do rarely appear, they can be treated as for offsets.
Common problems
- Rot — the usual cause of loss, almost always from overwatering, a poorly draining mix, or wet cold in winter; the base softens and discolours.
- Etiolation — too little light makes the stem pale, soft and abnormally elongated, with weaker spines.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the areoles, and on the roots) and red spider mites (fine webbing, bronzed skin) are the common offenders; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Ferocactus — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Propagation — seed
- Pests and diseases