Echinocactus texensis

Echinocactus texensis is the hardiest of the Echinocactus, growing as far north as Oklahoma and south across the border into Mexico. It is slow-growing and a relatively small Echinocactus with an olive-green body, pronounced and slightly undulating ribs, stout spines and usually pinkish flowers with a darker throat that are followed by bright orange-red edible fruit. It has been remorselessly and senselessly persecuted by ranchers throughout much of its range because of its common name, Horse Crippler. Any cactus should be protected in its native habitat and that such a wonderful plant should be killed off just because of a name shows you how far we are from valuing nature and how far we have to go.

Grow Echinocactus texensis in a mineral alkaline substrate that is sandy and very gritty - ideally with the addition of limestone chunks and basalt rock dust. If you live in a suitable dry or southerly location and are experimenting with it outdoors, a raised bed or on a sloping south-facing gradient are ideal options. It is important to have a perfectly drained substrate with little-to-no organic matter and this applies whether it is grown indoors, in a cool glasshouse or if you brave it outdoors. Keeping it dry under an overhang or beneath a rainshelter are also good ideas. In its native range, it can experience snow cover but while it is small it will be sensible to fleece it during the worst of the sub-zero temperatures. Once it has experienced a few winters outdoors and become established you will have a greater understanding of how it performs in your particular location.

A choice and desirable cactus.