Thelocactus bicolor
glory of Texas
T. bicolor is a cactus with usually solitary, ribbed globose stems to 20cm in height, bearing long reddish spines and funnel-shaped rosy-purple flowers to 8cm across
Other common names
straw spine cactusTexas pride
Synonyms
Thelocactus bicolor var. bolaensisSize
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
0–0.1 metreGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Purple | |||
Autumn | ||||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Genus
Thelocactus are cacti with ribbed, spiny, globose or shortly cylindrical stems and large funnel-shaped flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Texas to Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost in full light with low humidity. Water moderately in summer and apply a liquid fertiliser 2-3 times. Keep dry in winter
Propagation
Propagate by seed or offsets
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Mealybugs may be a problem
Diseases
Generally disease free
Get involved
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