Ferocactus emoryi subsp. rectispinus

RHS Plant Profile

straight-spined Emory's barrel cactus

RHS

Synonyms

Ferocactus rectispinus

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

A slow-growing, upright, single-stemmed cactus up to to 2m tall with long, straight reddish-pink spines and large yellow, red or orange flowers which appear in the summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: 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 peat-free, 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
Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to root rots