how do you grow golden barrel cactus

How to Grow Golden Barrel Cactus

• Method 1 Planting Cactus Seeds 1 Get golden barrel cactus seeds. Order the seeds online or visit your local gardening store. 2 Plant the seeds in a seed tray. ...
• Method 2 Transplanting Your Cacti Outside 1 Plant your cacti in a spot that gets a lot of direct sunlight. ...
• Method 3 Caring for Your Cacti 1 Keep your cacti in direct sunlight. ...

Full Answer

How do you plant golden barrel cactus seeds?

Get golden barrel cactus seeds. Order the seeds online or visit your local gardening store. Plant the seeds in a seed tray. Use a potting mixture of half sand and half peat moss or potting soil. Fill up each compartment of the seed tray halfway with the potting mixture and then place a few seeds in each compartment.

How do you take care of a golden barrel cactus?

If you put in the time and care for your cacti properly, you’ll have beautiful golden barrel cacti for decades to come. Get golden barrel cactus seeds. Order the seeds online or visit your local gardening store. Plant the seeds in a seed tray. Use a potting mixture of half sand and half peat moss or potting soil.

Can you grow a golden barrel cactus indoors?

Golden barrel cacti, of the genus Echinocactus grusonii, are perfectly suited for growing indoors in areas where the plant can get plenty of sunlight. However, the cactus is less likely to flower indoors than when it's grown in a garden or yard. Amusingly, the plant's nickname is "mother-in-law cushion."

How long does it take for a barrel cactus to grow?

It could take over a decade for your cacti to reach full size (some golden barrel cacti grow to be 3 feet (91.4 cm) wide!) so be prepared to tend to your new cacti for a long time. How does a barrel cactus survive in the desert?

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How long does it take to grow a golden barrel cactus?

about 10 yearsGrowing and care: The Echinocactus grusonii is fairly quick growing at first; then the growth rate slows right down. So you can expect to wait about 10 years for the cactus to reach 10 inches in diameter. Like most cacti they're drought tolerant and need very little care and attention to grow well.

What does a golden barrel cactus need to survive?

Care for Golden Barrel Cactus However, regular watering encourages growth and is practiced on those field-grown by nurseries. Drench the soil and let it dry completely between waterings. This plant does not like wet feet and will rot if it remains wet. Plant in any well-draining soil.

How do you make golden barrel cactus grow faster?

To make cacti grow faster, you need to have a consistent watering schedule, allow proper air exchange, use soft water for watering. Also, fertilize your cacti during growth period and allow cacti to go dormant during cold period.

Can a golden barrel cactus live indoors?

Barrel cacti are native to the scrublands of Mexico. They grow very well near a sunny window indoors, or outdoors for the summer on a deck, patio or balcony in a spot protected from the midday sun.

How often do you water golden barrel cactus?

Water your barrel cactus once per week in summer. The barrel cactus doesn't need much water in winter when it is dormant. Water once between December and February. Adequate water in spring may cause the plant to produce a large yellow flower.

How often should you water a golden barrel?

Water your cactus sparingly. As desert plants, barrel cacti require minimal watering. In warm, dry climates, water your outdoor cactus once a week during summer and only a few times during the entire winter season. To avoid root rot, water your indoor cactus every two to three weeks.

How long do golden barrel cactus live?

Planting & Growing When grown indoors, Golden Barrel Cactus can be expected to grow to be about 24 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 3 feet. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

How do I get my barrel cactus to flower?

Blooming can be affected by too much or too little sunlight. Barrel cacti must have full sunlight throughout the spring and summer to produce the gorgeous blooms that reside on the top of the plant, but blooming can be stunted when the plant is not properly acclimated to a sunny area.

When should I repot my golden barrel cactus?

Potting and Repotting Golden Barrell Cactus You should repot barrel cacti every few years. It's best to repot at the beginning of the growing season, or in summer. To repot a cactus, ensure the soil is dry, then gently extract the plant from the pot while wearing thick leather gloves for safety.

How much does a golden barrel cactus cost?

Prices range from $8 to $400. Some of the better bargains are in the mid-sizes from 8″ diameters to 13″ diameters. Smaller plants may be a little weak to use in a landscape and larger ones are decidedly pricey. Unlike many plants, golden barrels get more and more beautiful as they grow.

How big do golden barrel cactuses get?

The Golden Barrel Cactus is a very slow-growing plant which usually reaches an ultimate height of around 50 to 60cm.

How can you tell the age of a barrel cactus?

There is no certain way to determine the age of a cactus because their stems do have annual rings like most wooden trees. Their age can only be estimated based on the height/size relative to the species, the number of areoles, and their growing conditions.

How much sun does a Golden Barrel Cactus need?

The Golden Barrel Cactus needs around 6 hours of direct sunlight to thrive. Make sure it is in a sunny window such as a south-facing one, but also protect it if the sun is particularly strong. Provide well-draining soil using general potting mix, sand, and stones.

What are the adaptations of a barrel cactus?

The “barrel” of the golden barrel cactus is actually the stem! The stem has evolved to be swollen and round in order to store water. This is a step beyond the stem adaptation of most other cacti; other cacti have thick stems to store water, but the stems maintain the typical long, vertical stem shape.

Why is my Golden Barrel Cactus turning yellow?

Too Much Sun. Ironically, barrel cactuses can become sunburned, and they react in almost the same way to a sunburn as they do to freezing temperatures. A barrel cactus that is burned by the sun will turn pale yellow.

How cold can barrel cactus tolerate?

Mature golden barrels are known to be hardy down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, colder than the average annual extreme minimum temperature of 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit for USDA zone 9. Conversely, young plants with a stem diameter less than 4 inches can be cold-damaged at temperatures around 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Should I fertilize my Golden Barrel Cactus?

You can apply fertilizer once a month to the cactus. This should only be done in the summer months. During winter, do not give the cactus any food...

How can I help my Golden Barrel Cactus to flower indoors?

It is tricky to get an indoor version of the Golden Barrel Cactus to flower. It happens much more common to those that are grown directly outdoors,...

Why is my Golden Barrel Cactus turning yellow?

Check your cactus has not been exposed to excessive sun, is receiving just the right amount of water - not too much, not too little. Ensure it is n...

What is a golden barrel cactus?

The golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii) is a large, round type of cactus that produces beautiful yellow flowers. Although they're endangered in the wild, golden barrel cacti are popular staples in households and home gardens. To grow your own, you’ll need some seeds, the right potting mixture, and a little bit of patience.

How do I grow cacti?

1. Plant your cacti in a spot that gets a lot of direct sunlight. A spot that receives full sunlight all day long is ideal unless you live in an area with extremely hot temperatures. In that case, plant your cacti in a spot that gets half direct sunlight and half shade throughout the day.

How to grow a cluster of cacti?

Echinocactus grusonii, or the Golden Barrel cactus, does not "pup" as some other species do. To grow a cluster, plant several of these cacti close together. They will push each other around, tilt each other's spines, in short, they will respond to their neighbor's intrusion. Do keep in mind these cacti can grow up to three feet in diameter, so they get rather large.

How long should I let cacti grow?

Let the cacti grow for 1 to 2 years before re-potting them. After that time, re-pot the cacti in pots that are one size larger than the pots they’re currently in. Gently pull the cacti out of their old pots and place them in their new pots, packing a soil mixture into the extra space around the roots.

How long does it take for cactus seeds to germinate?

Wait 2 to 6 weeks for the cactus seeds to germinate. The seeds will look like red spheres once they’re germinated.

How to dig a hole in a cactus?

Dig shallow holes so the spiny parts of the cacti are fully above ground. Only the roots of the cacti should fit in the holes. Use your hands or a small shovel to dig the holes.

What to wear when repotting a cactus?

Always wear thick leather gloves when re-potting a cactus to protect yourself from the spines.

What temperature should a barrel cactus be?

The ideal temperature range for a Golden Barrel Cactus is 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit (10-21 degrees Celsius). The Barrel Cactus tolerates a good range of temperature but it certainly will not like frost. Keep it at over 40 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it doesn’t get damaged by cold.

What is a golden barrel cactus?

Echinocactus grusonii, also known as the Golden Ball Cactus, and even sometimes called the Mother In Law’s Cushion, the Barrel Cactus is a funky globe-shaped succulent. A deep green color, the Barrel Cactus gets its “Golden Ball” pseudonym due to the yellow spikes that grow over it.

What humidity do barrel cactus need?

Whilst the optimal conditions for the Barrel Cactus will be arid and low humidity of 50% or less, it won’t be harmed with the usual levels of humidity in the standard home.

How much sunlight does a barrel cactus need?

Keep it in a sunny window during the growing season and it will be very happy. To get maximum growth on this slow-growing cactus, 6 hours of direct sunlight per day would be best.

What do barrel cactus roots need to be protected from?

The roots on the Barrel Cactus need to be protected from overwatering, excessive sogginess, and dampness.

Why is the barrel cactus called the golden ball?

A deep green color, the Barrel Cactus gets its “Golden Ball” pseudonym due to the yellow spikes that grow over it. This gives it a golden hue.

How long can a cactus sit in water?

Make sure too that your pot has a couple of drainage holes at the bottom. And don’t be tempted if you are going on vacation to leave the pot sitting in a large plate of water. A couple of weeks without water will not harm your cactus. But, a couple of weeks sitting in a pool of water likely will!

Where do barrel cacti grow?

The genus Echinocactus includes about six species of barrel cacti, including the golden variety, native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. These are true desert plants that cannot handle standing water when growing. Plant them in very well-draining soil or potting mix, and water no more than once a month.

What is a barrel cactus?

Also known as a barrel cacti, as the name implies, they are almost perfectly round when juvenile, so they make excellent display plants. They are highly attractive, with evenly-spaced rows of spines on their deeply ribbed lobes. As they grow, it's not uncommon for them to stretch out so they are more oval than circular. As with most cacti, the secret to successful indoor growth is nearly perfect drainage, as opposed to letting them dry out.

How to repot a cactus plant?

Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with a potting mix designed for cacti, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.

How tall is a spruce cactus?

This can be quite a large plant when fully mature (as much as 6-feet tall), but they grow very, very slowly, so indoor specimens will remain manageable for many before becoming a problem. The Spruce / Krystal Slagle. Botanical Name. Echinocactus grusonii. Common Name. Golden barrel cactus, golden ball. Plant Type.

When do cactus bloom?

A mature cactus will bloom in the summer with flowers that grow in whorls around the top of the plant. To seed a cactus, plant the seeds shallowly in a cactus mix and keep them warm and very slightly moist. Barrel cacti may also sprout "pups" at the base of the plant.

What to do if you have a golden ball?

Problems with a golden ball are rare, but occasionally they may become infested with mealybugs or scale. Spraying with water and then coating with insecticidal soap is the best remedy. Read More.

When do golden balls bloom?

However, the cactus is less likely to flower indoors than when it's grown in a garden or yard. If it does bloom, flowers come in the spring.

How to grow barrel cactus from seed?

How to Grow Barrel Cactus from a Seed. After flowering of the Echinocactus, seeds are found in their pods and fall after a few months. Leave the pod on the plant so that it gets mature and completely dried up. Collect its seeds just before drying the pods.

How to keep a barrel cactus in the house?

If your cactus is in the pot, then it should be kept in a warm sunny place in the warmest room of the house. Mix more sand, a little topsoil, and perlite in the soil prepared for the barrel cactus. These mixtures are best suited for cactus.

Why do echinocactus need unglazed pots?

Unglazed pots are most suitable for Echinocactus because these pots allow excess water to evaporation. Barrel cactus plants are true deserts and usually, they are caused by rain for the supply of moisture. Water is enough once a week in the summer season. They do not need much water in the winter.

What is the best potting mix for cactus?

Prepare a potting mix or use a ready-made cactus potting mix. You prepare a mixture of peat moss, vermiculite, and sand in the ratio 3: 2: 5, it is best for your cactus. Fill the potting mixture in the germination tray or pot.

How to collect cactus seeds?

Collect its seeds just before drying the pods. Cut the pods from one side using knives, you will see the seeds in it, collect it with the help of toothpicks. Before germination soaks the seeds in water for overnight. Prepare a potting mix or use a ready-made cactus potting mix.

How to get echinocactus seeds to come out?

Set the seeds of Echinocactus, and give the water very slowly, otherwise, its seeds are so small that they come out. Distribute its seeds to you as equally as possible. You can place two to three seeds in one place if the germination can be divided by the screwdriver.

How cold can a plant bear?

However, they can bear up the cold temperature to 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit). Plants kept in cold temperatures develop a barrel shape. Smaller barrel plants should be placed in a very bright and indirect sunny place, mature plants can bear the full sun.

How to grow barrel cactus from seed?

Barrel cactus can be easily grown from seed. Fill a flat with commercial cactus mix and sow the seeds on the surface of the soil. Sprinkle a thin layer of sand on top of the seeds and then the soil needs to be evenly misted . Cover the flat with a lid or plastic wrap and keep it in a warm location. The seeds readily germinate and can be transplanted when they are big enough to a larger container. Always use gloves when handling barrel cactus, as their spines can be painful.

When do barrel cactus need water?

The barrel cactus doesn’t need much water in winter when it is dormant. Water once between December and February. Adequate water in spring may cause the plant to produce a large yellow flower. Rarely, the plant will then grow an edible fruit.

What is the difference between barrel cactus and ferrocactus?

The Echinocactus has a fuzzy crown of fine spines, while the Ferrocactus are ferociously thorned. Each one can be grown as a houseplant or in less common situations the arid garden and are attractive additions to a succulent display.

Why do we need barrel cactus?

The barrel cactus cares for lost travelers in the desert because it habitually grows tilted to the southwest. Caring for barrel cactus is quite easy and it makes a great plant for the beginning gardener. Site, water, soil, and container are key to how to grow barrel cactus.

Can barrel cactus be grown in a garden?

Each one can be grown as a houseplant or in less common situations the arid garden and are attractive additions to a succulent display. Growing barrel cactus requires a sunny location, well-drained potting soil, and minimal watering.

How long does it take for a golden barrel cactus to grow?

You can sow Golden Barrel Cactus seeds outdoors in warm climates, but sowing them indoors is easier and will result in a higher germination rate. Expect the seeds to germinate in one to two months.

How big is a golden barrel cactus?

Echinocactus grusonii, commonly known as Golden Barrel Cactus, typically reaches 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) in diameter and up to 36 inches (90 cm) in height. It is fairly quick growing at first, then the growth rate slows right down.

How to grow a sandbox?

2. Fill a seed tray three-fourths of the way with slightly moist potting medium made with 1 part sand and 1 part high-quality potting soil. 3. Scatter two or three seeds per seed compartment on top of the soil. Then, cover the seeds lightly with a thin layer of sand. 4.

How to grow a sage plant in a plastic bag?

Slip the seed tray into a plastic bag and tie it closed with a twist tie. Place the tray in a bright area, but out of direct sunlight, that is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (21 and 27 degrees Celsius). 5. Keep the soil slightly moist until germination.