Sclerocactus

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. USA, Mexico.

Description. Sclerocacti are low cacti with erect, often single, dark green stems. Quite rarely, lateral shoots appear at the base of the stems. The stems of young seedlings are spherical, but with age they acquire a cylindrical or ovoid shape. The ribs are vertical, in some species they are weakly expressed. The tubercles are large, conical, with areoles on the tops of the tubercles. The spines are long, straight, curved or hooked, densely covering the plant. The flowers are very attractive and large - up to 5 cm in diameter, funnel-shaped, white, pink, purple, yellow, appear at the top of the stem, open during the day.

Height. About 15 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Sclerocactus prefers fairly dry and very warm conditions. In the winter months, the temperature can be lowered slightly, but it should not fall below 12° C. The plant needs a cool dormant period in winter for abundant flowering.

Lighting

Suitable for growing on sunny windowsills, but tolerates light shade in summer. Lack of light leads to growth retardation and shape distortion.

Care

Representatives of this species are quite easy to grow indoors and are suitable for novice gardeners.

Substrate

The soil should easily pass water and air, pH about 5.6. A mixture of leaf humus, turf soil with a large amount of coarse river sand or perlite to improve drainage and small pieces of charcoal is suitable. You can use a ready-made mineral substrate for cacti and succulents. The mixture should contain up to half the volume of river sand or other drainage material. 

Feeding

Feed monthly with fertilizers for cacti and succulents high in potassium, calcium and phosphorus. The fertilizer is diluted to half the recommended dose and applied in spring and summer. During the dormant period, cacti are not fed.

Flowering time

The buds form in summer, but sclerocactus blooms only with proper care.

Air humidity

It does not require high air humidity, however, in the winter months, spraying can replace watering. 

Soil moisture

Water in spring and summer until the earthen ball is completely soaked; be sure to remove excess water that has accumulated in the pan after watering. The soil should be dried between waterings. In the autumn-winter period, water extremely carefully - only to avoid drying out the earthen clod. 

Transplant

Replant as needed in the spring, before flowering. Adult plants are replanted every 2 - 3 years.

Reproduction

It is quite difficult to propagate by seeds - germination takes a long time and the germination rate is low. Seedlings often die before reaching maturity. Vaccinations. 

Pests and diseases

Rot appears with excessive watering and insufficient air circulation.

Red mites, mealybugs, thrips and aphids sometimes appear.

Note

Be careful when handling sclerocactus, as it has long, sharp spines.