Winter-hardy cactus echinocereus is able to survive in the open field
One of the classic types of cacti, echinocereus, has always attracted attention with its large flowers on a thickened stem. The plant is grown mainly in indoor conditions, because most of its varieties are thermophilic. However, there is also the winter-hardy cactus echinocereus among them. If his gentle relatives freeze out in the cold and no longer recover, then this one simply freezes, becoming glassy. In the spring, the juicy pulp thaws, and the cactus comes to life again. Thanks to this ability, you can plant a crop in a garden in a permanent place.
general description
On the body, uniform or spirally wrapped ribs clearly or weakly protrude. There may be only 5 of them or more than 2 dozen. Almost all varieties have long and sharp thorns, straight or slightly curled, like the legs of a spider. Flower buds are laid in the upper lateral part of the stem in several pieces. A characteristic feature of all echinocereuos is large flowers with spines. Some can be up to 15 cm in diameter. The funnel-shaped flower consists of narrow and shiny pointed petals with a fluffy core. The color can be very different: white, pink, yellow, red and even green.
Some varieties also have a subtle citrus aroma. The fruits of the cactus in the form of red thorny berries are edible and resemble strawberries. For this reason, the succulent is also known as the strawberry hedgehog.
Winter-hardy cactus echinocereus - varieties for open ground
As you know, all Echinocereus need a cool winter for flowering stimulation... But some of them have increased resistance to low temperatures. They are not afraid of frosts even at 25 °, because the plants recover well after freezing. It is not frost that poses a great threat to them, but excess moisture and too rich soil. It is preferable to plant cacti among stones, having prepared a sandy soil. Watering should be reduced from late summer. If the winter is warm and with snow, succulents do not need to be covered; in the middle lane, it is better to cover them.
Among the garden Echinocereus, the following species have settled well in the open field:
- Adustus. In the central strip, the cactus will not survive in the garden, but in the southern regions it winters well at 10 ° frost without shelter. Height no more than 20 cm. The green stem is single, cylindrical, about 4 cm in diameter, divided into 11-16 ribs. The thorns are cream. The flowers are pink, about 6 cm long and about 6 cm wide.
- Reichenbach. Will survive frosts up to 25 °. The stem is straight, cylindrical, with many comb spines. The flowers are purple, up to 7 cm long.
- Sharlakhovy. The stem is semi-straight, dark green in color, 40 cm high and up to 6 cm in diameter with gray-yellow spines. Bushes at the bottom.Ribs are poorly defined. Flowers up to 8 cm long, yellow and pink tones prevail in color.
- Three-pronged. Thick ribbed stems from spherical to cylindrical. Height 30 cm, stem diameter 7 cm. Yellow thorns turning into black. The flowers are red, up to 7 cm in diameter.