Worth knowing:
The globose Barrel Cactus or Mother-in-law-Seat can grow in its natural habitat up to 80 cm in diameter, a good stool size one could imagine, if it just wouldn’t have those strong spines that makes the plant so perfectly suited for unwanted mothers-in-law. The ribs of the cactus enable it to store copious amounts of water, while they expand for moisture absorption and contract at increasing dehydration. Since this kind of water-storing capacity is greatly appreciated in the desert, it grows dense, yellowish coloured and slightly bowed, 5 cm long spines for protection. The center of the globe is responsible for the growth and covered by a hair felt that protects it from sunburn. From the center, the plant also produces its small, yellow-coloured flowers, when the cactus has reached more than 30 cm in diameter.
Natural Location:
The Mother-in-Law-Seat has its natural habitat in Central Mexico. The species is mentioned in the appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Wild plants are therein subject of strict international trade prohibition.
Cultivation:
Seed propagation indoors is possible throughout the year. Spread the seeds onto finely sieved potting compost or cactus earth that contains about 25% sand and is moistened with a water vaporizer. For a light germinator you don’t need to put any potting earth on top. Cover the seed container with clear film to prevent the earth from drying out, but don’t forget to make some holes in the clear film and take it every second or third day completely off for about 2 hours. That way you avoid mold formation on your potting compost. Place the seed container somewhere bright and warm with a temperature between 20°C and 25°Celsius and keep the earth – preferably with a water sprayer – moist, but not wet. The first seedlings will come up after one or two weeks.
Place:
The Barrel Cactus needs direct sunlight all year long to develop its long, coloured spines. During summer it can be kept outdoors in a sunny and rain-sheltered place.
Care:
Water the plant only after the earth has dried out completely, and avoid waterlogging. The best way of watering the cactus, is by filling the saucer with water for a couple of hours. That way the most parts don’t come in contact with the water, and the plant cannot rot. During the growth period, you may give fluid fertilizer for cactus plants every four weeks after watering. Shifting pots would only be necessary when the roots have penetrated the earth of the old pot.
During the winter:
The Barrel Cactus hibernates ideally in a bright and cool place with a temperature between 5° and 10° Celsius. Water only sparsely and very rarely, so the plant will stop growing, which enhances the flower formation in matured cacti. It is also possible to keep your plant in a warmer place during winter, but as well only with rare and sparse watering.
Picture credits:
- © © Karelj - Public domain - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/publicdomain/
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Frank Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Sabine Laue - © Saflax - http://www.saflax.de/copyright
- © Calvin teo. - CC-BY-SA-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
- © Poco a poco - CC-BY-SA-3.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0
- © Petar43 - CC-BY-SA-4.0 - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0
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