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Habitat:
deserts of Mexico and
southwestern United States: Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico.
Description: a genus of plants variable in size, with robust, often
hooked and sometimes colourful spines. The ribs are large and prominent.
Diurnal, bell-shaped flowers appear near the apex of adult plants in the
summer. They have synonyms in the genus Echinocactus to which they
once belonged.
Soil: basic mix.
Location: grow in full sun but to avoid sunburn they must be exposed
gradually to the stronger light if overwintered indoors.
Temperature: they need a minimum temperature of 6°C (43°F).
Water: average; excessive water may cause rotting.
Cultivation tips: slow-growing but easy. Fertilizer must be applied in
small quantities. Wash the plants if they show signs of sooty mould then
treat with a systemic fungicide before the winter. Raise from seed.
Main species: F. stainesii var. pilosus has red or orange
flowers and tends to form clusters; it needs full sun and a moderate amount
of humus in the soil; F. lindesayi, rare; F. herrerae,
fast-growing, needs full sun; F. wislizeni; F. diguettii; F. emoryi,
with a grayish-blue glow;
F. hamatacanthus; F. latispinus; F. acanthodes; F. histrix.
Ferocactus hamatacanthus v.sinuatus fa papyracanthus Ferocactus latispinus v.latispinus
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