Biznaga-de-limilla

Biznaga-de-limilla Care

Ferocactus hamatacanthus

What is the plant

Ferocactus hamatacanthus is a spherical cactus that belongs to the family Cactaceae. It is commonly known as Turk's Head due to its hooked spines. It can be identified by its funnel-shaped flowers, spiny areoles, and prominent ribs.

Ferocactus hamatacanthus can be found across a broad area spanning the Chihuahuan Desert in northwestern Mexico and in regions of southwestern Texas and New Mexico. It has dozens of common names, including Turk's Head Cactus, Texas Barrel Cactus, and Giant Fishhook Cactus.

Thus cactus typically grows as a solitary cactus with a globular or oblong shape, reaching up to 24 inches (60 cm) in height. It has around 13 ribs, sometimes up to 17, that are highly tubercled and measure 0.8-1.2 inches (2-3 cm) in height. The plant's areoles are spaced apart by 0.4-1.2 inches (1-3 cm) and bear 12 radial spines that are acicular and terete and range from 2-2.8 (5-7 cm) in length.

It also has 4 central spines, one of which is hooked at the tip and can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in length. The cactus produces large, yellow flowers with scarlet inner coloring, measuring 2.8-3.1 inches (7-8 cm) in diameter. Its oblong fruit is edible and around 0.8-2 inches (2-5 cm) in length, with a dark brown to drab color and pitted seeds.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

20°C - 32°C

Hardiness zone

6a - 10

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Turk's Head is drought-tolerant, adapted to dry conditions, and does not require frequent watering. Water approximately every 1-2 weeks or when the soil feels dry to the touch. During the growing season, which is typically spring and summer, you may need to water more frequently.
Pruning
Remove any excess growth or damaged or diseased parts of the plant to encourage healthy, new growth.
Fertilizer
Fertilize once a month from spring through summer using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with a ratio of equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It's not advised to fertilize during winter. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package for dosage and application.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Prefers full sun, with at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
Soil
Prefers well-draining soil, rich in organic matter, with a pH of around 6.0-7.5. You can use succulent or cactus potting mixes for planting Ferocactus hamatacanthus.
Propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings. Take a 4 to 6-inch (10-15 cm) stem cutting from a healthy, mature plant. Allow the cutting to dry and callus for a day before planting. Plant the cutting in a well-draining soil mix and water thoroughly until new growth appears.

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Temperature
The ideal temperature ranges from 70-90°F (21-32°C) and can not tolerate temperatures below 10°C (50°F).
Container
You can use various containers as long as they have good drainage.
Fun fact
You can use various containers as long as they have good drainage.