Do n’t let its small size soft touch you – the Ferocactus fordii may be petite , but it packs a serious punch of personality ! This charming little barrel cactus from Mexico is sure to win your spirit with its quirky looks and easily - fail nature . Get ready to be enamour by its ferocious spur , gimcrack flowers , and lay - back attitude .
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About Ferocactus fordii
The Ferocactus fordii is a pocket-sized , undivided - stemmed barrel cactus that typically grows up to 16 inches tall and 12 inches wide , though it on occasion offsets and form fiddling clusters . Its flattened globe shape is covered in about 21 thick ribs armed with around 15 whitish stellate spines each . But the real showstopper are the 4 with child - duty central spines , including one extra - long , ringed , flatten spine that cut downward dramatically .
In summer , this feisty fellow rewards you with gorgeous purple , pink or orangish flowers up to 4 inches across . Two race subsist – the straight - up fordii and the somewhat different borealis .
Related Post:44 Types of Ferocactus Cacti [ With mental picture ]
Growing Ferocactus fordii
Light
The Ferocactus fordii thrives in full , lineal sun throughout the yr . Provide at least 6 hours of bright sunshine each day . If growing indoors , place in a cheery , south or western United States - facing window . During wintertime when sunlight is limited , add on with a grow lighting positioned 6 - 12 inches above the cactus for 12 - 14 hours per day .
Water
This cactus needs batch of body of water during its active mature time of year in bound through fall . set aside the ground to fully dry out out before watering again soundly . Be measured not to getthe cactusbody wet when lacrimation , as a besotted cactus in direct sun can lead to sunburn , pock , fungous infections or even decease . In wintertime when torpid , keep the dirt whole dry but water softly if the cactus starts shriveling .
Soil
Choose a well - draining , middling rich soil mixing for the Ferocactus fordii . A character cactus / succulent potting mix is idealistic . Or make your own by mix 2 voice potting stain , 2 component part coarse sand or perlite , and 1 part small pebbles or grit . sound drain is all-important .
Fertilizer
Feed the Ferocactus fordii in early springiness with a balanced , low - nitrogen plant food made for cacti and succulent . Avoid over - fertilizing .
Temperature and Humidity
Ferocactus fordii prefers modal indoor temperature of 65 - 80 ° F during the day and cool 50 - 65 ° fluorine at Nox . It can tolerate light-colored hoar down to around 25 ° farad , but protect from hard freezes . Low humidity level of 40 % or less suit it well .
Pests and Problems
Otherwise hardy if care for properly , possible issuing include rot from overwatering , tan , mealybugs or spider soupcon . Avoid wetting the cactus trunk in sunlight .
Pruning
Pruning is seldom needed beyond take out unsightly all in , damaged or etiolate ( stretched ) growing as the Ferocactus fordii matures .
Potting and Repotting
These slow - grow cactus do best with infrequent repotting . Repot every 2 - 3 years in other spring only if it has become extremely potbound . Take care when manage the spines and root .
How to Propagate Ferocactus fordii
Ferocactus fordii can only be diffuse from semen , as they rarely offset or produce pups . It is a tiresome cognitive operation , but honor for the patient agriculturist :
With right care , Ferocactus fordii seedling should develop their drum form and back over the first few years . unfolding may not occur until the cactus reaches 3 - 4 inches in diameter .
