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Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis

Cultivation Key

� Full sun ��Little water�� Non-Organic mix only

�� all season.�� (ie: Sand, DG, Pumice)��

��

Hardy to 40F / 4C if dry.

Can tolerate short periods of colder temps.

Avoid frost!

(General guidelines)

Plant of the Month

Summer/June 2010

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Pineapple Cactus, Acũna Cactus

Echinomastus erectocentrus

var. acunensis W.T Marshall

Cactaceae (Cactus Family)

Synonyms: Neolloydia erectocentra var. acunensis �L. Benson comb. nov.

Echinocactus erectocentrus, Neolloydia erectocentra, Sclerocactus erectocentrus, Pediocactus erectocentrus, Echinocactus krausii, Echinomastus krausii, Echinomastus acunensis

Form/Habitat: The habitat of Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis is North America, in south central and south western Arizona and also in Sonora, Mexico. Usually found growing among Echinocereus engelmannii, Mammillaria grahamii, M. tetrancistra, Opuntia phaeacantha, Cylindropuntia acanthacarpa, C. bigelovii, C. fulgida. Found only on south or south eastern facing slopes within the Florence, AZ population. Only in areas with a decomposed granite substrate. Not found in grassy areas. Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis is a solitary plant, only on rare occasions or from damage will they produce offsets.

Size: Stems typically growing to around 8 � 10 inches tall and 3 to 4 inches in diameter. Generally between golfball and softball size. Starting out globular, eventually growing slightly cylindrical. Clusters are very rare, this plant usually stays solitary.

Flowers/Fruit: The flowers of Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis are generally pink with a dark pink/brown, almost glowing center. Some plants have white flowers with a small hint of pink on the outer petals with a dark green center. Flowering time is March/April. The fruit are green and when ripe, dry to a brown/tan color.

Sun/Water: Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis can take full sun to get the proper spination. Often in habitat these plants are growing out in the open completely unprotected. In cultivation, watering should mimic natural habitat as best as possible. Give light waterings in winter, especially during Jan/Feb, tapering off in mid-March. From March to June keep fairly dry with just occasional misting. Start again with light waterings from August to September and into the winter. These plants dislike any peat or organic matter in their pot culture soil mix. Do not use a commercial cactus soil or any type of potting soil. Only non-organic matter consisting of sand, loam, grit, pumice and DG (decomposed granite) would be best.

Propagation: Seed. Fairly easy to grow from seed, although somewhat slow.

Books/Websites: Only basic information is available about this plant online. A lot of which is misleading and generalized in standard cactus care. These plants require a more specialized care routine. Some info is scattered within non�specific books. All info provided in this article is from our own observations. More websites can be found on our Reference Links page.

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Echinomastus erectocentrus var. acunensis �W.T Marshall

Not a very common genus seen in collections. These plants have some extraordinary spination and very nice flowers. The iridescent dark glowing throats are really something.

This plant was grown from seed from the Florence, AZ population.