You know those teenage plant that ca n’t hold off to show off their flowers ? Well , adjoin Ferocactus macrodiscus – the cactus that just ca n’t check its blossoming turmoil ! This cunning little barrel cactus from Mexico starts flowering when it ’s just a few inches marvelous . Talk about being an over - succeeder !
With its saucer - shaped body and funky blue - green pelt , F. macrodiscus is already a head - Nat Turner . But then it goes the superfluous mile with striped pink - imperial petals that burst open in spring and summer . Like a party lid on top of the weird cactus child at the dance !
If you ’re looking to add up some precocious dynamism to your plant fam , this might just be the gross weirdo . allow ’s dive into the deets on develop this quirky cactus .
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About Ferocactus macrodiscus
This intermediate - sized barrel cactus has a down in the mouth globe shape up to 1 - 2 foot improbable and wide . It sports 13 - 35 flattened ribs covered in areoles with yellow felt . The vertebral column range from yellow to red , with 6 - 8 curvy radial prickle and 1 - 4 stouter primal spines up to 4 inch long .
The literal show-stopper are the obconic bloom , about 3 - 4 inches long and panoptic . Those bright pink petals with sick margins are a definite hunger trap for cactus fans ! plant bloom promptly from a very unseasoned long time , which is a rarity among ferocacti .
colligate Post:44 Types of Ferocactus Cacti [ With picture ]
How to Care For Ferocactus macrodiscus
Light Needs
Ferocactus macrodiscus is a full sun - worshipping beach bum . It wants as much bright , verbatim illumination as you’re able to give it class - round . During winter ’s gloomy days , append with a grow lightto keep it perky .
Just be careful of scorching if you have it outdoors – ease it into more intensesun exposuregradually . And avoid fuck off the body slopped when the sun is blaze or you take a chance nasty sunburns .
Watering Needs
In the state of nature , this cactus deals with periods of drouth by storing water in its plump radical . At home , let the soil dry out completely between waterings from leap through fall during the growing period . Give it a recollective beverage , but do n’t pass on it soaking .
In wintertime when it ’s torpid , cut back considerably on water to just a midget sip once a month or so . Too much moisture while it ’s resting can cause rot .
Soil Situation
Like a sullen teen , F. macrodiscus wants a well - drain soil mix that stays on the siccative side . A basiccactus & succulent potting mixwill work , or make your own by combining :
Whatever you employ , good drainage is primal ! supply a bed of pebble in the bottom of the corporation to further increase air flow .
Feeding Time
Ferocactus are n’t heavy feeders , so a single program of abalanced , lengthened - release fertilizerin early natural spring is plenty . Go lightly – just a small handfulmixed intothe soil .
you could also top - dress with a thin layer of compost as add nutrition . But no need to get crazy with supplements for this low - maintenance Kyd .
Temperature & Humidity
Desert native = hates stale and moisture ! Ferocactus macrodiscus likes it hot and dry . Night temps above 50 ° F and days in the 70s-90s ° F keep it felicitous .
Protect it from frost , which can cause irrevocable scarring . High humidity is also a no - go as it increase disease hazard . A bright , warm place with gravid air flow is ideal .
Pests & Problems
The primary pests to watch out for are typicalcactus culpritslike wanderer mites or mealybugs . An occasional dish soap spray will dislodge most undesirable critter .
Rot from overwatering or poorly draining soil is the biggest threat though . foreclose this by ensuring the plant is n’t sitting in wet and the pot has enough drainage golf hole .
Pruning Needs
Thanks to its course compact shape , Ferocactus macrodiscus rarelyneeds pruningbeyond remove any bushed or diseased sections . expend a sharp , sterilized knife and permit the wounds dry before re - potting .
Potting & Repotting
Being a relatively dense - grower , F. macrodiscus can stay pot - bound for several years before take tomove upa container size . When you do repot , go up just 2 column inch and do it in spring .
How to Propagate Ferocactus macrodiscus
Ferocactus macrodiscus is one of the easier cacti to propagate from cutting . You ’ll get an extra plant for detached – sexual conquest ! Here ’s how to do it :
It may take several months for ascendant to develop fully . Be patient – these singular cacti move at their own precocious pace ! Once established , the new plant can be watered and worry for like the parent .
you could also try growing Ferocactus macrodiscus from seed , but cuttings incline to be faster and more motley fool - proof .
