Characteristic differences of the plant and the origin of the name, recommendations for growing sclerocactus, advice on reproduction, diseases and pests, facts for the curious, species. Sclerocactus (Sclerocactus) belongs by scientists to a family of plants that can accumulate moisture in their parts and grow in rather arid areas, it is called Cactaceae. The native area of distribution falls on the territory of the United States, which includes the lands of California, Arizona, the states of Utah, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico, as well as the Mexican regions in the regions of Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, San Potosi and Zacatecas. This genus is not very common in nature. Such cacti can be found at an absolute altitude of 350 m to 1600 meters (according to other sources, 500-2000 meters above sea level). At the same time, all areas of growth fall on dehydrated talus from a stony substrate, of which there are many in canyons in the highlands of desert places. Such lands are of little use for the growth of other flora representatives there due to too dry and hot climatic conditions. This is consistent with the area of the Chiaua Desert and those areas where there are limestone outcrops and desert meadows with low sparse grasses. There are 8 varieties in the genus today.
The genus must owe its name to the Greek word "scliros" which translates as "hard" or "dry" and characterizes the dense shoots of a cactus quite well, but it is clear that botanists decided to emphasize the ability of Sclerocactus to constantly resist the harsh conditions of nature, in its native places of growth. The second name of the plant is - Blooming Cactus, as most species delight with the opening of lush flowers.
The stems of sclerocactus are hard, their shape is spherical or cylindrical. The height of the shoots of the plant varies in the range from five to 40 cm with an approximate diameter of 2, 5–20 cm. The spread of indicators, as can be seen, is quite large and it directly depends on the variety. In this case, the side stems of the cactus are not formed. The ribs located at the top of the stem are usually gently separated by tubercles. Their number is in the range of 13-17 pieces. The spines growing from the areoles are divided into radial and central spines.
The number of radials varies from 6 to 15 units. Their section is round or there may be a slight flattening. In length, they grow up to 1–2, 5 cm. A thorn in the central part of a larger number of species forms either a single one, or they grow up to two pairs, often there is a hook at the top. The length of the central spines varies from 1.5 to 7 cm, but some of them can stretch up to 13 cm. The color of all spines is whitish, grayish, brown or completely black. They are very thin, and rather strong, with their outlines resembling bunches of dried grass, as if entangling the stem with a cocoon.
During flowering, buds are formed, the petals of which are painted in a pinkish-white or purple color. The length of the corolla reaches 8 cm, with the maximum opening the diameter can vary within 2–5 cm. Usually the point of flower buds is at the growth rate of the current year. The buds are located on that part of the areola, which is adjacent to the place on it, where thorns usually grow.
After the flowers are pollinated, fruits are formed, which in the northern varieties of green color, the rest can decorate the stem with their bright red hue. The fruits are glabrous or there is a shelter of sparsely placed scales. After full ripening, the berries dry out, next to the remnants of wilted flower corollas. When the fruits of Sclerocactus fly around, the stem is covered with traces resembling weak growths for several years. Inside the berries there are seeds of black color; many varieties have a glossy surface.
However, it should be remembered that this cactus requires skill and certain knowledge, so you should not take on its cultivation for beginners, since cacti are quite sensitive to the level of illumination. Otherwise, the plant will not form properly and may be affected by multiple infections.
Recommendations for growing sclerocactus at home
- Lighting and choosing a place for the pot. Since in nature Sclerocactus grows in an open area, a place is selected for it in the room on the sill of the southern window. However, it is recommended to shade the cactus from the direct rays of the sun in the summer. If the level of lighting is not enough for the plant, then the stems will take a curved shape and growth will slow down.
- Content temperature. The plant is a "resident" of rather arid and hot regions of the planet and can withstand high heat levels. In the spring-summer period, temperatures of 25-30 degrees are recommended, the maximum cactus can withstand up to 39 units of heat, but after that it begins to stagnate. In the autumn, when the resting phase of the sclerocactus begins and throughout the winter, it is recommended to lower the thermometer column to 12 units, but not lower than 4 heat. There is information that for a short time this exotic will be able to withstand even at temperatures of 17 degrees below zero. If the rules of keeping during the rest period are violated, then there will be no abundant flowering.
- Air humidity when caring for Sclerocactus, it is not a playing factor, only in extreme heat it is recommended to ventilate the room more often.
- Watering. It is this moment that is most responsible in caring for sclerocactus, since the root system reacts very quickly to waterlogging of the soil. When the plant is in the dormant phase (from October to February), then it is kept in a completely dry substrate, but the soil is occasionally sprayed. When the activation of vegetative processes begins, the frequency of moistening should be such that the soil in the pot dries out completely. Typically, in the spring, such moistening is performed once, and in the summer months they are carried out twice. It is these moisture indicators that characterize the natural growing conditions. If the water is glass in a pot holder, then it is immediately drained. When the weather is rainy and cool in the spring and summer, the frequency of watering is greatly reduced. Also, watering can be replaced by spraying. It is recommended to use only soft and warm water, so that its temperature is a couple of degrees higher than the ambient heat. You can use distilled or bottled water on the recommendations of florists.
- Fertilizers for Sclerocactus. When the plant comes out of the dormant phase, then fertilizing should be applied monthly throughout the spring and summer. It is recommended to use preparations intended for succulents and cacti, where there is a high content of phosphorus, potassium and calcium. The dosage indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging should be halved. When the dormant period begins, they stop fertilizing the cactus.
- Transplant and advice on soil selection. If the need arises (the cactus has grown too much), then the pot is changed in the spring period every year, until the time of flowering has come. When a cactus becomes an adult, such an operation is performed every 2-3 years. The pot is selected quite voluminous, since the root system is large. A layer of drainage material is laid at the bottom of the flowerpot, which is medium-sized expanded clay or pebbles. It is recommended to select a substrate for sclerocactus with an acidity of pH 6, 1–7, 8. The soil can be purchased in flower shops, which is suitable for succulents and cacti. You can make a soil mixture yourself from coarse sand, soddy soil, leaf humus (in a ratio of 3: 1: 1). There is also added 10% of sphagnum moss and cat meal, which is added 10 grams for every 10 liters of substrate.
Sclerocactus breeding tips
This plant can be propagated by sowing seeds or by cuttings.
It is recommended to sow the seeds in January, but before sowing, it is necessary to carry out stratification - that is, it is imperative to imitate the natural cold conditions by placing them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Then sand with a fraction size of 3-5 mm is poured into the pot and seeds are distributed on its surface. In order for the seeds to germinate successfully, it will be necessary to alternate periods with high and low temperatures (heating and freezing crops). The duration of each such period should be up to 14 days. In this case, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules.
Depending on the variety, seeds germinate from 30 days to 5 years. Shelter of crops is not carried out; thorough ventilation of the seed is recommended.
Aged watering:
- when the seeds of sclerocactus are freezing, the soil is kept dry, for about two weeks;
- when warming up, it is necessary to maintain the substrate in a constantly moist state, here it is important to irrigate by spraying the soil from a spray bottle with a fine spray.
Calibrated temperature readings:
- freezing is carried out at 3–7 degrees of frost;
- during warming up, heat indicators at night are maintained in the range of 10-15 degrees, and in the daytime - 25-35 units.
Diffuse lighting, especially in the summer afternoon (shading is needed). If during germination in the summer months the temperature rises above 35 degrees, then most of the seeds will germinate when the heat subsides.
Seedlings that have already grown well should be removed with great care from the pot, where there may still be seeds that have not germinated, since they do not germinate together. Young Sclerocactus are planted with other seedlings, providing them with care appropriate to adult specimens. Also, in the 1st year of growth of cacti throughout the summer period, they should be provided with diffused lighting.
Diseases and pests arising from the care of sclerocactus
If the rules for growing at home are violated, the plant may be affected by a spider mite, then it is necessary to carry out treatment with insecticidal preparations. If the substrate in the pot is too waterlogged or the air in the room does not circulate enough, then putrefactive processes may occur, affecting not only the root system, but also the stem. In this case, if the symptoms are noticed during, then after transplanting into a sterile pot and soil, with the preliminary removal of the affected parts and treatment with fungicides, the cactus can be saved.
Facts for the curious about sclerocactus, flower photo
It is important to remember that care is required when caring for the plant, since its thorns are very long and sharp. Although sclerocactus grows in nature in rather difficult, if not harsh conditions, when cultivated indoors it is especially capricious and it is rather difficult to grow such an "exotic" in its collection.
The genus was first described by two American botanists studying cacti: Nathaniel Lord Britton (1859–1934) and Joseph Nelson Rose (1862–1928). Their contribution is also seen in the name of the genus - Sclerocactus (Br. & R.). But it is worth noting that the first description of the sclerocactus was presented to botanists in the middle of the 19th century and only in 1922 the genus was recognized as independent, and began to include up to ten species and a number of varieties of this succulent.
However, to this day, the areas of natural growth of this representative of the flora have been completely studied or not studied at all. All this is due to the fact that these areas are quite far from the roads and are located in hard-to-reach areas, where it will not be possible to get there without special mountaineering equipment. I also do not contribute to the study of Sclerocactus in natural conditions, prolonged heat and arid climate, which makes these lands unsuitable for the life of even the most drought-resistant plants. However, sclerocactus grow well here, bloom and bear fruit, and also multiply by means of seeds. But if such plants are taken from their native lands, then in culture they take root badly, since they cannot adapt to a change of environment. In nature, despite the abundance of seeds in fruits in populations, the number of specimens is small or young growth is almost completely absent.
There is an opinion of experts who are engaged in observing such separately located populations that there is a constant decrease in the number of sclerocactus in nature. And despite the fact that many of the varieties are listed in the "Red Book", but plant collectors are constantly ravaging the already small number of thickets of this exotic. The relentless destructive activity of humans also contributes to the disappearance, since many areas where plants survived are now subject to the laying of roads and railways. There, they begin to develop uranium deposits, accompanied by the destruction of the local and so modest flora.
Types of sclerocactus
- Multi-hooked sclerocactus (Sclerocactus polyancistrus). The native area falls on the lands of the United States - the states of Nevada, California and Arizona. The plant has a cylindrical stem, which does not exceed 15 cm in height with a diameter of 75 mm. There are no side shoots. The number of ribs can be from 13 to 17 pieces, usually they are separated by soft tubercles. The color of the radial spines is white, they can form 10–15 units, not exceeding 2 cm in length. The central spines of light brown color are stronger and longer, they can grow up to 13 cm. 9–11 of them are formed, often there is a hook at the top … When blooming, buds with purple petals open. The length of the rim is 60 mm with a diameter of about 5 cm.
- Twisted sclerocactus (Sclerocactus contortus). Native lands are occupied by the US states - Utah, Colorado, where cacti are found in canyon areas. The stem has the shape of a ball, while its height is no more than 9 cm with an average diameter of 8 cm. The cactus lacks lateral stems. The ribs on the surface are most often located spirally. There is a woolly cover on the areoles. The length of the radial spines does not exceed 2 cm; their number reaches 7–11 per plant. There is also a pair of central spines, with a hook-shaped outline, they bend in different directions, reaching a length of almost 7 cm. All spines are painted in snow-white or white-pink color. In the process of flowering, buds of a dark pink color bloom. The flower is 40-60 mm long with a diameter of about 3-4 cm.
- Sclerocactus franklinii. This cactus grows in nature on the lands of Colorado (USA). The stem shape can vary from spherical to elongated. Its height is no more than 6 cm, with a diameter of 5 cm. The color of the surface is greenish-blue. The outlines of the ribs are knobby; there can be from one to 12 pieces of them on the stem. Areoles with whitish pubescence, about 3 mm in diameter. The shape of the spines can be either round or flattened, they grow straight or have a bend. There are 6-10 radial spines. The longest of them reaches 2 cm, they are painted in white or grayish-ash color scheme. The number of central spines is 1–3 units. They can grow up to 15-30 mm, and their color is black or gray. The corolla of the flowers is 45 mm in length; when fully expanded, the diameter reaches 3-5 mm. The petals in the flower are snow-white or pinkish.
