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When looking for ahedgehog cactuswith beautiful flush , one of the first choices should be Echinocereus pectinatus ( ek - in - oh - SER - ee - us pek - tin - AY - tus ) .
The scientific name literally translate to “ comb hedgehog ” , a common name referring to the cockscomb - like spines on its side .
Echinocereus pectinatus synonym (echinocereus rigidissimus) – ziopoldaccio | Adobe
Some unwashed name include :
What makes this member of the Cactaceae crime syndicate so special is the wide range of gloss the backbone may exhibit .
The rainbow cactus spines are arrayed in a stellate radiation diagram with between 15 and 23 spines per areole , practically befog the red and white banded stem .
When the cactus flowers , it adds even more color with large , bright efflorescence .
Native to Mexico and southwestern United States ( chiefly Arizona , New Mexico , and Texas ) , the plant is have sex to have one confirmed subspecies , Echinocereus pectinatus wenigeri , and one deliberate race , which has been both classify as Echinocereus pectinatus ctenoides and Echinocereus dasyacanthus ctenoides .
Echinocereus pectinatus volt-ampere rigidissimus is the term commonly return to the flora when grown west of the Continental Divide and Echinocereus pseudopectinatus is another debated species to be a crossbreed .
sum up even more mix-up , the cockscomb hedgehog is also known by the alternating scientific names Cereus pectinatus , Echinocereus rigidissimus , and Echinocereus rigidissimus volt-ampere rubispinus .
Be indisputable to look for all of these names when shopping for a rainbow cactus plant or seeds .
Rainbow Cactus Care
Size & Growth
Being a hedgehog cactus , this species may have spherical or cylindric radical measuring between 8″ to 14 ” inch grandiloquent and 2″ to 5 ” in duncical .
While the rainbow cactus plant is generally individual , old plants may ramify out to shape a loose cluster .
The slowly - maturate works features 20 to 23 obtuse rib and essentially no central spines .
Areoles are ellipse and close but not connected , with short whitened hair come forth from the new ones .
Meanwhile , 16 to 30 whitish to pinkish radiate spines between 7/32″ and ⅜ ” inches long protrude from the areolae .
They often interlink , forming bands of color and flatten out into a pectinate ( comb - corresponding ) appearance .
The perennial rainbow cactus salad days occur throughout summertime , starting as early as May and ending as belatedly as August , depending upon the region .
These give way to gooseberry - similar fruits , which are cherubic and fully edible .
Echinocereus Rigidissimus Flowering and Fragrance
During the summer months , rainbow cacti produce almost comically oversized blooms .
These flowers emerge from the sides of the radical as a spiny funnel shape shape and are diurnal .
These bloom may be near - white , yellow , lilac-colored , Battle of Magenta , or an vivid shade of pinkish and have cream - colored stamens .
The flower petal are foresighted and pointed , while the milky - fleeceable flowered tube has white hairs .
While not indistinguishable , the blooms resemble those of the Echinopsis genus .
After three month , these develop into a greenish to obscure empurpled - dark-brown comestible fruit with white pulp .
Light & Temperature
succulent love sun , and rainbow cactus is no exclusion .
Plant it in full sunlight to ensure optimum wellness .
Indoors , leave a window seat near - full Sunday throughout the day .
Another characteristic of this plant is its ability to digest the frigidity for short menstruation .
It may be grow from USDA hardiness zones 9a to 21b .
Watering and Feeding
It ’s well-situated to overwater this cactus , so having well - drain soil is an absolute must .
Water once every two weeks during the summer , ensuring the dirt has dry out .
Do not water if the soil is still moist .
For wintertime , water only once a calendar month , and avoid any lachrymation when it ’s humid .
As with many plants , echinocactus pectiniferus can become iron substandard .
Give the plant even feeding of dilutedcactus fertilizerduring the summer and supplement with sequestrated iron as needed .
Soil & Transplanting
Echinocereus pectinatus thrives on astandard cactus potting premix .
Some grounds suggests it may be able to acquire in slenderly rich grime , although this is not generally advised .
Avoid too much lime and aim for achromatic to slightly acidic soil with high gritrock when institute outdoors .
Thanks to their slow development , repotting is rare and may not require to be done for as long as two long time at a time .
To repot , carefully remove the cactus and strike hard away any sluttish soil .
The root tend to be weak , so be gentle with them .
The plant may then be placed in the raw jackpot and the root covered with soil .
Grooming and Maintenance
Overall , the rainbow cactus call for very little alimony .
However , removing and transplanting any plantlets is a skilful way to thin its growth charge per unit .
How To Propagate Comb Hedgehog
onetime hedgehog cactus plant life may be propagated through offsets .
Remove the bud and allow a callus to constitute over the wound .
institute this in cactus stain and keep it in a lovesome , more or less damp surroundings until it displays new growth .
For plants that may not have start out to bud , you may also propagate using germ .
The seeds germinate within two week when placed in a shallow premix and keep slightly damp .
Transplant to pots as need .
Rainbow Cactus Pest or Disease Problems
Unlike many cactus household member , the combing hedgehog does n’t have many rude enemy .
It ’s vulnerable to aphids , succulent mealybugs , and some moth larvae .
A much big concern is rot , which is one of the most frequent killers of this plant life when not in its lifelike environment .
The works is more susceptible to fire in rude scope .
Suggested Echinocereus Pectinatus Uses
barrel cactus pectinatus is utter for almost any ornamental use .
It ’s an attractive addition to rock ‘n’ roll gardens , desert - themed garden , as a potted accent to porches , patios , and windows , or as a general indoor plant .
to boot , the fruit are eatable , making this a great source for late summer snacking .
