Golden Barrel Cactus Facts: Know Curious Details On Cactus Plants

Alternatively, the golden barrel cactus is called the 'mother-in-law's cushion' or 'golden ball cactus'.

It is a well-known and rare variety of cacti that is native to eastern-central Mexico. It can be found in the wild at Mesa de León in the province of Querétaro and the region of Hidalgo.

The construction of the Zimapán Dam and reservoir in Hidalgo in the '90s drastically decreased the population and made it uncommon and endangered. At heights of roughly 4,600 ft (1,400 m), the barrel cactus plant thrives in igneous rocks on slopes.

The golden barrel can grow to form a big, nearly spherical globe that can reach a height of over 39 in (1 m). Sharp ribs occur on the cacti that are long, straight, or slightly curved, and varied colors of yellow or, on rare occasions, white.

Summer brings little golden flowers to the plant's top, but only after around 20 years. These flowers add perfectly to the beauty of the plant.

If you want to read some fun facts about the green barrel cactus, its species, seeds, fruits, and its growth environment, you should read further to know about it in detail. There is a lot of such information available on this topic, the blue barrel cactus, and other house plants.

Golden Barrel Cactus Classification

• Echinocactus grusonii, popularly called the golden ball cactus, is a species of the tiny genus Echinocactus, also known as barrel cacti, and the related genus Ferocactus.
• Heinrich Hildmann, a German botanist, was the first to describe the species in 1891.
• While this cacti species is commonly related to a golden ball, it is not to be confused with Notocactus leninghausii, a species endemic to Brazil and Paraguay with fuzzy, harmless spines.
• According to recent phylogenetic research, Echinocactus grusonii is likely polyphyletic in relation to the remainder of the Echinocactus genus and is formed from hybrids between Echinocactus and Ferocactus.
• Therefore, Echinocactus grusonii has been reassigned to its own genus to address this, and the correct name under this arrangement is Kroenleinia grusonii Lodé.
• However, this change is yet to be approved by the concerned authorities.

Other Names Of Golden Barrel Cactus

The golden barrel cactus is also called the mother-in-law's cushion, golden ball, Echinocactus grusonii, and Kroenleinia grusonii.

• This Mexico-native Cactus is drought-tolerant, and therefore, during the hot, dry season, you should water it just once a month.
• During the winter months, it does not need watering. This cactus will rot if given too much water.
• It enjoys complete sun or partial shade and can withstand 13-15 °F (-9 to -10 °C) temperatures when planted in a garden.

Golden Barrel Cactus Reproduction

This Mexico-native cacti plant, alternatively called the mother-in-law's cushion, can only reproduce asexually. Therefore someone has to initiate the process via external sources.

• Cacti have seeds in their spines. The thorn eventually breaks because there are no humans in the desert to reproduce the cactus.
• But, you'll probably need a greenhouse if you want to produce one in a personalized environment.
• If you don't have one, you can puncture tiny holes in a plastic bag and drape it over the cactus instead.
• You'll have to go through a hardening-off procedure by providing it with a small amount of water and fertilizer once a week for it to reproduce.
• Echinocactus grusonii is extensively grown as an ornamental plant in specialized plant nurseries for use in pots, desert habitat gardens, rock gardens, and conservatories.
• There are also varieties with white and short spines under cultivation. It's one of the most widely grown cacti, and it's becoming more popular as an architectural accent plant in modern garden designs.
• In warmer areas with a longer summer season, the cactus is thought to be simple and quick to grow.
• However, the plants do have certain fundamental needs, such as a minimum winter temperature of 53.6 °F (12 °C) and sufficient drainage with minimal watering in the winter.
• Excess water throughout the winter months might cause decay.
• The plant also shows high potassium fertilizer needs, well-draining soil, and a good amount of full sunlight for optimum growth.
• Golden Barrels can withstand temperatures as low as 15 °F (-8 °C) for short periods of time.
• Echinocactus grusonii species can also be found in desert plant collections in many botanical gardens outside of Central Mexico.
• It has also received the famous Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society in the United Kingdom.

Plant Characteristics Of Golden Barrel Cactus

After many years, Echinocactus grusonii plant or the golden barrel cacti can grow into a big, nearly spherical globe with a height of around 3.3 ft (1 m).

• The appearance of younger golden barrel plants differs from mature ones.
• There can be up to 35 prominent ribs in mature plants, although they are not visible in immature plants, which have a knobbly look.
• The spiky spines are straight, long, or slightly curved and come in a variety of yellow or white colors.
• Summer, characterized by warm weather, brings the little golden flower to the plant's head, but only after 20 years or more. These little yellow or white-colored flowers are extremely attractive, especially in a desert landscape.
• Golden barrels are not poisonous in nature.
• This cactus grows swiftly at first, but it will slow down as time goes on. For example, it might take up to 10 years to reach a diameter of 10 in (25.5 cm).