Ferocactus emoryi
Emory's barrel cactus
A bluish-green barrel cactus, globular at first, becoming cylindrical, and capable of reaching 2m after many years. Young plants have a regular arrangement of conical tubercles tipped with 6 to 10 long, curved, red or light brown spines. Older plants develop 15 to 30 deep ribs. Red, yellow or pale orange, funnel-shaped flowers up to 7.5cm across appear in summer, followed by yellow, egg-shaped fruit
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Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Red Yellow Orange | Yellow | |
| Autumn | Green | Yellow | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Genus
Ferocactus are spherical to columnar cacti with prominent ribs bearing spiny areoles, the spines sometimes hooked, and funnel-shaped flowers in summer
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in a loam-based potting compost with added grit. Water moderately when in growth, not at all when dormant. Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser two or three times in the growing season. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to mealybugs
Diseases
Generally disease-free
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