Publication: Cactaceae Syst. Init. 14: 16. 2002 [Oct 2002]
Description
Ferocactus cylindraceus subs. eastwoodiae is a particularly attractive cactus with remarkably spines, that differs from the standard Ferocactus cylindraceus in having only 12-14 and stout radial spines and usually 4 central spines, the lowest the longest, curved but not hooked. Spines are yellowish to straw coloured, dense and partly obscuring the stems.
Habit: Ferocactus cylindraceus subs. eastwoodiae is a solitary, barrel cactus usually unbranched, forming a single moderately tall column.
Stem: Green, spherical becoming columnar, growing slowly 1,6 to 3 m tall and 30 cm in diameter.
Ribs: 18 to 25 obtuse up to 2,5 cm high and tuberculate.
Central spines: Usually 4, the lowest the longest, curved but not hooked, 6-8 cm long and three auxiliary centrals form a crucifix shape. Spines can be yellowish to straw coloured, but darken with age.
Radial spines: 12 to 14 white spreading 2.5-5 cm long.
Flowers: Yellow tinged with red appear in May and June at the crown of the plant, 4 to 6 cm.
Fruit: Fleshy, covered with scales, yellow or yellowish green, 5 cm long, 2,5 cm in diameter.
Remarks: The flowers on all subspecies are yellow, occasionally with a red tint.
Origin and Habitat
It is known from only two widely-separated small desert localities in Pinal County, central Arizona and in the Havasupai Canyon (Grand canyon area north eastern margin of the Sonoran desert), Arizona, USA
Altitude: 360-1200 metres Above Sea Level
Habitat: Variety eastwoodiae is found most often on steep slopes and inaccessible ledges on a dolerite intrusion. (Dolerite is a basic igneous rock). The plants are sensitive to salinity
Cultivation and Propagation
Ferocactus cylindraceus subs. eastwoodiae are summer-growing and pretty easy plants.
Growing rate: Thought slow to start the speed when they reach about five cm in diameter. Plant in good conditions will start to bloom when reach the diameter of only 15-18 cm.
Soil: They are suited for any rich, well drained soil such us clay, pumice, lava grit, and only a little peat or leaf-mould.
Repotting: If potted, repot them preferably in the spring, if their roots become cramped. Generally, they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll need larger containers. Fill about a quarter of the pot with broken crocks, gravel, etc. to promote good drainage. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.
Watering: Water regularly during the aestival growth cycle (this plant need plenty of water, but do not overwater and let their soil dry out between waterings), and also needs to be avoided wetting the body of this plant while it is in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sun light can cause sun burning which can lead to scars or even fungal infections and death, keep rather dry in winter. No water should ever be allowed to stand around the roots.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Exposure: Outside they need a bright exposure, full sun or half shade in summer if the location is exceedingly hot or bright, inside needs bright light, and some direct sun. It can tolerate moderate shade, and a plant that has been growing in shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun as the plant will be severely scorched if moved too suddenly from shade into sun.
Frost Tolerance: Light frost protection required for safe cultivation, but can tolerate sporadic light frost. This plants need a period of cool rest in winter to produce flowers abundantly.
Diseases and pests: Watch for infestations of mealybug, scale insects and spider mite.
Propagation: Seeds are the only way of reproducing. Seed Collecting: Permit fruit to ripen. Fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds.
Bibliography
Major references and further lectures
-
James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey “The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass” Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug./2011
-
David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006 ISBN 0953813444, 9780953813445.
-
Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
-
Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” Courier Dover Publications, 1963
-
Raymond M. Turner, Janice Emily Bowers, Tony L. Burgess “Sonoran Desert Plants: An Ecological Atlas” University of Arizona Press, 2005.
Gallery
