Ferocactus latispinus

Ferocactus latispinus Care

Ferocactus latispinus

Other names: Devil’s Tongue Barrel, Crow’s Claw Cactus

What is the plant

Ferocactus latispinus is a modest-sized ball-shaped or flat-topped barrel cactus, which normally remains a solitary plant, without dividing or producing offsets. It is slow-growing to start but does well under cultivation.

Ferocactus latispinus is a species of barrel cactus native to Mexico. Originally described as Cactus latispinus in 1824 by English naturalist Adrian Hardy Haworth, it gained its current name in 1922 with the erection of the genus Ferocactus by American botanists Britton and Rose. This species has an extensive distribution in central and southern Mexico. This cactus has widespread and abundant subpopulations and grows at elevations of 600 to 2,600 metres above sea level. Ferocactus latispinus is a modest-sized barrel cactus and probably the best-known of the ferocacti, and if you want only one from this group, this is the one to choose.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

20°C - 35°C

Hardiness zone

min 9b

Difficulty

Easy

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water during the aestival growth cycle from March till October, the thin, fibrous roots suffer if there is humidity, therefore the plant should be watered only when the surrounding terrain is dry. But needs to be avoided wetting the bodies of these plants while they are in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun light can cause sun burning which can lead to scars or even fungal infections and death. Keep dry as soon as the temperature starts dropping in October and keep it perfectly dry in winter at temperatures from 5 to 15 degrees centigrade. Preferable not to water on overcast days, humid days or cold winter days.
Fertilizer
It grows much faster with a low nitrogen content fertilizer in spring and summer.
Sunlight
It needs full sun exposures with ample airflow for best appearance.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Grow it in a rich and particularly draining substratum as it is very sensitive to rottenness when in presence of humidity and low temperatures and let the soil dry out between waterings.
Temperature
They need to be kept in a cool place during winter rest and can tolerate sporadic light frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather with little danger of being killed. However in cultivation it is better not to expose it to temperatures lower than 5°C.
Container
Choose any type of container with enough drainage holes.