Golden Barrel Cactus. Echinocactus grusonii.	Height: Typical 2 1/2 Foot. Note Crown Forming.
Golden Barrel Cactus. Flower: Bright Yellow.	Golden Barrel Cactus. Dried Last Years Fruit.
Golden Barrel Cactus. Fruit And Seeds.	Golden Barrel Cactus. Fruit And Seeds.

Golden Barrel Cactus. Echinocactus grusonii, Cactus Family ( Cactaceae ), Golden Barrel Cactus. Also Called: Golden Ball Cactus, Mother-In-Law's-Seat, Mother-In-Law's-Cushion. We wish to thank Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for some of the information on this page. We share images and information with Wikipedia. The Golden Barrel Cactus, is one of the most popular of all of the cacti in cultivation. It is admired for its large round shape, it is adorned with very neat rows of clustered golden spines. It's flowers are also golden yellow in color, emerging from a large patch of wool at the center of the plant. They grow a few at a time, over a long period, during the growing season in the warm months of the year. The plants can attain a size of over 2 feet in diameter, and may remain either single or produce several plantlets at the side to form a clump. They come from the State of Quer�taro in Mexico, but have become very scarce in their wild environment due to the inundation of much of their natural habitat from the construction of a dam called Zimap�n Dam. Echinocactus with its 6 species, is one of the 2 genera of cacti commonly known as barrel cacti. The other genus, with considerably more species, is Ferocactus. The two groups are widely distributed in the southwestern USA and Mexico Older plants tend to lean toward the Southwest. Not tolerant of wet soil. Plant in well drained soil. Echinocactus grusonii is a well known species of cactus native to central Mexico from San Luis Potosi to Hidalgo. Most specimans have been collected from the lake bed that was eventually flooded by the the lake formed by the Zimap�n Dam in the Quer�taro State of Mexico. The dam was built on the river named, Rio Moctezumae, formed by the Tula and San Juan Rivers, which is between Queretaro state and Hidalgo State. Quick Notes: Height: Up To About 4 - 6 feet tall. But, most are about 2 feet when mature. About 1 1/2 to 2 feet in diameter. Flowers: Yellow. About 2 1/2 -inch-wide flowers bloom during March - May. Day blooming, forming a crown of flowers on top of the cactus. Blooming Time: April - August. Mostly April - May. Fruit & Seeds: The fruit is up to 1 3/4"X 1 3/8" in diameter, it is yellow and fleshy, it later dries becoming scale looking and brown.It has a cotton or wool appearance under the dry flower. Black Seeds. Stem or Trunk: Up to about 2 feet' in diameter consisting of an interior framework of about 20 - 30 or more woody ribs supports the spongy tissue. Spines: Golden Brown Color, forming dense clusters along the ribs. They are medium and slightly hooked. Cactus thorns are modified leaves. Their shape conserves water and adds protection to the cactus plant. Fruit: The fruits, round or oblong blue fruits that are about 1/2 inch in diameter. Seeds: Black oval - about 1/32 inch in length. Found: Native of central Mexico, in the Quer�taro State of Mexico. Under the lake formed by the Zimap�n Dam. Some are still on the slopes of the lake.They can also be found in Zacatecas, Mexico. A few are still growing in the wilderness of the state of Quer�taro, Mexico. Elevation: 3,281 - 5,249 in native habitat. But it is warmer in its native habitat of Mexico. We recommend 0 to 4,900 feet. Hardiness: USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 �C (15 �F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 �C (35 �F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 �C (40 �F) Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) Sun Exposure: Full Sun Some Shade Habitat: Lower elevations where water is available. It grows well in sand, sandy loam. It needs good drainage and aeration. It is remarkably tolerant of alkali. Miscellaneous: Maintenance: Low. Photo Taken Glendale, Arizona. February 01, 2006.