Chin Cactus
Gymnocalycium saglione (formerly Echinocactus saglionis) (CACTACEAE)
Planting and Growing Chin Cactus
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow chin cactus in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers and fruit of chin cactus
- Growing conditions for chin cactus
- When and where to plant chin cactus
- How to plant chin cactus
- How to shape, prune and control growth of chin cactus
- Watering, fertilizing, and care of chin cactus
- Landscape uses of chin cactus
- Pest and disease control for chin cactus
Growing Chin Cactus
A few cultivars of slow-growing, erect or prostrate, round becoming columnar, deeply ribbed cacti, 18–36 in. (45–90 cm) tall, armed with black, brown, needlelike spines in flat, radiating clusters, to 1-1/2-in. (38-mm) long, surrounding a few erect central spines, to 2-in. (50-mm) long.
Chin Cactus Planting and Care Guide
Flowers and Fruit
Showy, pink, white, open, double-petaled flowers, to 1-1/2-in. (38-mm) wide, in summer, form fleshy, broadly oval, red fruit, to 1 in. (25 mm) long, in autumn.
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. Fertility: Average. 6.0–7.5 pH.
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. Withhold water in winter. Drought tolerant. Fertilize annually in summer. Propagate by layering, offsets, seed.
About This Species
Good choice for accents, containers, barriers in arid, natural gardens. Good as houseplant. Pest and disease resistant.
Warning:
Spines of Gymnocalycium saglione can be hazardous; avoid planting in gardens frequented by pets and children.