Echinopsis
Family. Cactaceae.
Origin. South America.
Description. A large and extremely variable genus containing about 100 species. Echinopsis can be short, rounded plants or large tree-like cacti. The stems are spherical, dark green, often becoming cylindrical with age. Many species often develop lateral shoots. The lower part of the stems often becomes woody and covered with brown bark. The ribs are deep, clearly defined, vertical. The spines are short and thick. Echinopsis are distinguished by magnificent, large, fragrant flowers of various shades. The flower tubes are long, covered with scales, open in the evening and wither within 24 hours. The buds have a very subtle, delicate aroma. The color range of the petals is very diverse and includes white, pink, red, yellow, orange, salmon shades. There are varieties with yellow stems that lack chlorophyll.
Height. Representatives of the genus develop slowly, the final height depends on the specific species.
Caring at home
When it blooms
Buds are formed in spring - summer. Echinopsis are probably the most abundantly flowering cacti. Each specimen is capable of releasing 4 - 5 flowers during the warm season.
Reproduction
Easily propagated by both seeds and cuttings. Seeds can be sown in spring or summer in well-drained soil. The seedlings are placed in a warm place and covered with glass or clear plastic. The cuttings are separated with a sharp sterile instrument and the cut site is dried for several days before planting.
How to care
Echinopsis is unpretentious and prefers a careless attitude to itself rather than careful care. From mid-autumn to early spring, cacti are given a cool, light and dry winter - such conditions are very important for the onset of flowering.
When and how to replant
For planting, use shallow containers, as the root system is close to the soil surface. Replant every 2-3 years, in the spring, if it is necessary to change the soil mixture to fresh or when the plant becomes frankly cramped in the pot.
Diseases and pests
When overwatered, cacti form a large number of lateral shoots. Rot occurs due to insufficient drainage and excessive watering, especially during the cool dormant period.
Harmful insects - mealybugs, scale insects, spider mites.
Content temperature
In spring and summer, normal room temperatures of 18–24°C are suitable. In the winter months, it is worth providing a cool rest period at a temperature of 8–10°C.
Watering
Water during the period of active growth until the soil ball is completely wet, but dry the top layer of soil 2-3 cm thick between waterings. In autumn, the frequency of waterings is gradually reduced, and in winter, simply protect the substrate from drying out completely.
Lighting
Echinopsis is placed in a brightly lit place with direct sunlight in the morning and evening every day. These cacti should be shaded only in the summer, during the daytime. In autumn and winter, the lighting should be as high as possible.
Soil
A ready-made mixture for cacti and succulents with an acidic pH is suitable. To improve drainage, fine gravel or coarse river sand is added to the soil.
Fertilization
In spring and summer, monthly fertilizing with liquid fertilizers specially designed for cacti is sufficient. In autumn, fertilizing is stopped and resumed only with the beginning of growth, in spring.
Spraying
There is no need to increase the air humidity. In winter, the air should be dry. Place the pot in a ventilated room with good air circulation.
Purpose
It blooms abundantly and readily in indoor conditions. Echinopsis is often used as a rootstock for more demanding cacti.
Note
Be careful and protect your hands with thick gloves - the cactus is armed with very sharp needles.
Varieties:
Echinopsis subdenudata
Small spherical cacti with matte, green, slightly flattened stems. With age, numerous lateral shoots may appear at the base of the stems. The ribs are vertical, deep, and bear sparsely located woolly areoles. The areoles contain very short, sharp spines. During flowering, tall flower tubes appear on the side of the stem, bearing large, single, white, or less often pink flowers with numerous long petals at the top. Each cactus may have several peduncles. The flowers open at night and have a pleasant aroma.
Echinopsis oxigona
Rounded green cacti, forming large clusters with age. Sometimes the stems can take a cylindrical shape. The shades of the stems are varied and include green, bluish-green, dark green. The ribs are numerous, deep, vertical, and bear pubescent areoles. Each areole has several long, strong, light, straight spines. The flowers are funnel-shaped, on long floral tubes that appear on the sides of the stems. An interesting feature of the plants is that the inner petals of the flowers are often painted white, while the outer petals have a lilac or pinkish tint. The flowers open at night and have a very pleasant aroma.
Echinopsis tubiflora
Low spherical cacti, overgrown with numerous lateral shoots over time. The stems are green, have vertical, deep ribs, reach 10 - 16 cm in diameter. Areoles are woolly, sometimes form long, sharp, straight spines or may have no spines at all. Numerous flower tubes appear in the summer months and bear single, large, funnel-shaped flowers up to 15 cm in diameter at the tops. The shades of the flowers vary from white to salmon, pink, lilac. Flowers open at night.
Echinopsis eyriesii
Spherical or club-shaped cacti from 15 to 30 cm in height. With age, the stems of the plants can become cylindrical, with a diameter of 12 to 15 cm. On the stems there are deep, vertical ribs with rare areoles. The areoles have a slight pubescence and short, straight spines. The flowers are very large, funnel-shaped, white or lilac, open at night and reach a diameter of 10 cm, appear on very long floral tubes. Each stem is capable of forming several flowers at once.
Echinopsis aurea
Small spherical or cylindrical cacti with dark green stems, reaching a height of 5 to 10 cm. Numerous, vertical, deep ribs bear closely spaced halos with long, sharp, light spines. During the flowering period, tall, slightly curved flower tubes from 4 to 6 cm long appear on the sides of the stems. The flowers are yellow, with numerous thin, silky petals, reaching a diameter of 5 cm. Much less common are cacti with white, pink or red flowers.
Echinopsis leucantha
Spherical or cylindrical cacti with green, matte stems up to 40 cm high. With age, the plants can form numerous lateral shoots at the base of the stems. The ribs are vertical, deep, and bear numerous areoles with long, light, slightly curved spines. In the summer months, the plant throws out vertical, smooth, tall flower tubes, at the top of which are large, white, funnel-shaped flowers. The flowers open at night.