Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)

Product description

The Golden Barrel Cactus is a striking, spherical cactus that looks something like a chair you wouldn't want to sit on due to its spines. This well-known cactus in the world of indoor cacti and botanical gardens originates from Mexico, but is a rare species there, partly due to its popularity as a houseplant as early as the 19th century. This species is thus endangered in the wild. The cactus has distinctive hard vertical ribs with pale yellow spines and on top a circle of fluff that protects it from drying out. On top of the cactus, the species can produce yellow flowers after 15 years. The fruits that may follow at older age are edible. Under the right conditions, the cactus can grow up to a century old and 1 metre tall. 

In nature, the species grows on slopes of volcanic soil up to altitudes of 1,400 metres above sea level. Therefore, the species can be kept as a houseplant in cactus soil or a mix of sand and sowing soil, where it is important that water always drains well. This is because the species is very susceptible to root rot. Place the cactus in a sunny spot and water only once a month in winter and gradually more during the growing season, up to a maximum of once a week. 

Sowing description: First soak the seeds in lukewarm water for 24 hours. Then sow shallowly on cactus soil or a mix of sand and sowing soil (ratio 1:1). Water the soil lightly, e.g. with a plant spray, and put away in a light place with a temperature between 21 and 29 degrC. Germination can take up to at least 2 months.