Overview of Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson is a rare and unique cactus species belonging to the family Cactaceae. This plant is endemic to the southern regions of the United States and northwestern Mexico.
Common Names
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson has several common names such as:
- Nichol's Turk's Head
- Golden Barrel Cactus
- Thorn of the Sky
Appearance
The plant is typically solitary and grows up to 1.2 meters tall and 60 centimeters thick. Its body is globose to obtusely cylindrical and its stem is firm and upright. The stem has 20-30 vertical ribs with large, prominent tubercles. Each tubercle has several brownish-yellow spines that are about 3-4 centimeters long. The spines are needle-like, straight or slightly curved, and are arranged in a radial pattern of up to 30 spines per tubercle.
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson has bright yellow flowers with greenish-yellow centers that bloom in spring. The flowers are about 4-6 centimeters wide and have many petals that are narrowly ovate, acute, and yellow in color.
Uses
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson is mainly used as an ornamental plant due to its striking appearance. It is also used in traditional medicine to treat various conditions such as arthritis, inflammation, and fever. Additionally, the plant's stem has been used to produce soap and its yellow flowers used to produce dye.
Light Requirements
The Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson plant prefers full sun exposure for optimum growth. It requires at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It's best if it's grown in a south-facing window or area. If grown in an area with insufficient sunlight, the plant may fail to thrive and may develop elongated stems, which can cause it to become unstable.
Temperature Requirements
The Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson plant is a desert plant and can tolerate high temperatures of up to 100°F or above. However, it does best in temperatures ranging from 60°F to 85°F during the day and between 50°F to 60°F at night. When temperatures fall below 50°F, the plant can suffer frost damage or begin to rot. It's necessary to keep the plant dry and warm, especially during the winter season.
Soil and Water Requirements
The Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson plant does best in a well-draining cactus mix soil. It requires soil that is gritty, containing sand, gravel, or perlite. The soil should be well-aerated and contain organic matter. It doesn't require frequent watering, and care should be taken to avoid overwatering. The soil should be allowed to dry before watering. During the growing season, it should be watered every 2-3 weeks, reducing the amount of water during the winter season. Overwatering can cause the plant to rot, and underwatering can cause it to become wrinkled or dry up.
Cultivation Methods
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson, commonly called Nichol's Turk's Head Cactus, is a slow-growing plant that requires arid conditions for proper growth. It is recommended to plant this cactus in a well-draining soil mix that contains a high proportion of sand or gritty material. This plant prefers full sun exposure or bright shade, and good air circulation for optimal growth. And, it can be propagated through grafting.
Watering Needs
Watering this cactus should be done sparingly. Water should be provided only when the soil has fully dried out, usually once a month. When it comes to watering, always avoid overwatering as it can lead to root rot or damage to the plant. Younger plants should be watered more frequently than older ones, but still moderately. It is recommended to water these plants from the bottom of the pot until the soil is thoroughly moist. In winter, the plant should be allowed to enter a period of dormancy by reducing watering.
Fertilization
Feeding this cactus should be done only during the growing season, which is during the spring and summer. The plant should be fertilized with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength, every two to three weeks. However, it is important to note that over-fertilization will lead to poor health and growth of the plant.
Pruning
As Nichol's Turk's Head Cactus is a slow-growing plant, pruning is not typically necessary. However, if the plant has damaged or diseased limbs, they should be removed as soon as possible to prevent further harm to the plant. You can also trim off dead or drying branches to allow the plant to focus its energy on healthy growth.
Propagation of Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson, commonly known as the Nichol's Turk's head cactus, can be propagated through several methods.
Seed propagation
One of the easiest and most common ways to propagate Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson is through seeds. The seeds can be collected from the mature fruit of the cactus and should be allowed to dry before being planted in well-draining soil. The soil should be kept moist, but not too wet, until the seeds germinate. Seed propagation is usually successful, but it may take several years for the plants to reach maturity.
Offsets propagation
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson also produces offsets, also known as pups, which can be separated from the parent plant and propagated as individual plants. These offsets can either be removed when they are actively growing or left attached to the parent plant until they have grown to a suitable size. The offsets can be planted in well-draining soil and should be watered sparingly until they have established roots.
Grafting
Grafting is another method of propagating Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson, but it requires more skill and experience. The process involves removing a pup or cutting from the parent plant and attaching it to the top of a different, more robust cactus species. The graft is held together until it grows together and then the original cactus can be removed, leaving the Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson to continue growing.
Overall, Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson is a relatively low-maintenance plant that can be propagated through a variety of methods. Whether through seed propagation, offset propagation, or grafting, with proper care, new plants can be easily propagated and grown.
Disease and Pest Management for the Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson Plant
Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson, commonly known as Nichol's Turk's head cactus, is a slow-growing, long-lived cactus native to Mexico. While this plant is generally hardy and resistant to most pests and diseases, it is not entirely immune to problems. Some common issues that may affect this plant include:
Pests:
Cactus bugs: These sap-sucking insects can cause curled, stunted growth and distorted spines on affected plants. To manage these pests, regularly inspect your cacti for evidence of infestation (look for small, brownish insects on the plant's surface) and use an insecticidal soap or oil spray to control them.
Spider mites: These common pests can cause yellowing and wilting of affected plant parts, as well as webbing on the plant's surface. To control spider mites on your cacti, regularly mist them with water to increase humidity levels and prevent mite populations from thriving.
Diseases:
Root rot: This fungal disease can develop in cacti if their soil is consistently too moist or if they are over-watered. Symptoms may include stunted growth, yellowing of leaves, and soft, rotten roots. To manage root rot in your cacti, make sure they are planted in well-draining soil and allow the top layer of soil to dry out completely between watering sessions.
Anthracnose: This fungal disease can cause brown or black spotting and lesions on a cactus' stems and spines. To manage this disease, remove affected plant parts (using sterilized tools), improve air circulation around the plant, and avoid getting water on the surface of the plant while watering.
Preventing pests and diseases is always the best line of defense when it comes to maintaining the health of your cacti. Make sure to keep your plants in a well-lit area with good air circulation, avoid getting water on the plant's surface when watering, and inspect your cacti regularly for signs of problems. By taking good care of your Echinocactus horizonthalonius Lem. var. nicholii L. Benson plants, they should thrive for years to come.
