Ferocactus hamatacanthus
Origin
Northern Mexico
Family
Cactaceae
Description
Ferocactus hamatacanthus is a very variable species in terms of stem size and mainly wear.The stem is simple, ovoid (broadly columnar in older plants), 150-300 (rarely up to 600) mm high, 75-200 mm wide. Ribs 12-17, not wide. Thorns relatively dense but do not completely cover the stem, central spines 4-8, bright red to brownish, the bottom is the longest, sharply crocheted and often arched, 40-150 mm long, other central spines sinuous, similar to marginal, 60-100 mm long. Marginal spines 8-20, about 15-40 mm long, acicular, almost snug to the stem.
Flowers 65-75 in diameter and approximately equally wide, yellow in color and strongly smells. The fruit is green, ovoid-spherical (they have 30-40 wide paper scales), 20-25 mm in diameter. Seeds dark brown to black, irregularly obovate, 1.5 mm long, 1 mm wide and 0.7 mm thick.
Environment
This species requires approximately the same growing conditions as the other species of the Ferocactus and Echinocactus spp., It thrives well in a warm and sunny environment. Watering in cold weather often results in root loss and consequently long stagnation
Allow the soil mix to become nearly dry between watering, but then water thoroughly. Suspend watering in the winter, but mist occasionally. Not enough sunlight and over-watering are common mistakes.
Use pot with good drainage and a very porous potting media.
Feed every 4 weeks with a high potassium fertiliser during summer
Landscape Uses
Suited for window sill and dish gardens
