Barrel or Fishhook cactus
Ferocactus species (CACTACEAE)
Planting and Growing Barrel or Fishook Cactus
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow barrel or fishhook cactus in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and fruit of barrel or fishhook cactus
- Growing conditions for barrel or fishhook cactus
- When and where to plant barrel or fishhook cactus
- How to plant barrel or fishhook cactus
- How to shape, prune and control growth of barrel or fishhook cactus
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of barrel or fishhook cactus
- Landscape uses of barrel or fishhook cactus
- Pest and disease control for barrel or fishhook cactus
Growing Barrel or Fishook Cactus
About 25 species of slow-growing, erect, stout, ball-shaped becoming columnar, ribbed cacti, to 10 ft. (3 m) tall, armed with flattened, hooked, yellow spines, to 2 in. (50 mm) long, often clothed in woolly, gray, white, hairlike bristles.
Barrel or Fishook Cactus Planting Guide
Flowers and Fruit
Showy, orange, red, yellow, multicolored, bell- or cup-shaped, double-petaled flowers, to 3 in. (75 mm) wide, in spring–early summer, form fleshy, round, purple, red fruit, to 1/2-in. (12-mm) wide, in late summer, persisting into winter.
Best Climates
U.S.D.A. Plant Hardiness Zones 7–10. Semi-hardy. Best in arid, mild-winter climates.
Soil Type and Fertility
Damp to dry, well-drained, sandy soil mixed with humus. Fertility: Average. 6.5–8.0 pH. Salt tolerant.
Where and How to Plant
Full sun. Space 2–3 ft. (60–90 cm) apart.
Proper Care
Easy. Water deeply; allow soil to dry completely between waterings. Drought tolerant. Fertilize annually in summer. Propagate by offsets, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, containers, edgings in arid, natural, small-space gardens. Good as houseplant. Pest and disease resistant.
Warning:
Spines can be hazardous; avoid planting in gardens frequented by pets and children.