Echinofossulocactus inermis or Stenocactus inermis cactus is an attractive globose cactus which many succulent enthusiasts are desperate to add in their indoor garden collection.
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus are an easy to care, versatile set of plants and they would be great picks for freshers in gardening as well.
This article is a complete guide on how you should grow them, their propagation methods , the common bugs, and issues they may come across etc. So, Brace yourself and get ready to learn about these precious plants.
How do I identify Echinofossulocactus inermis?
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus consist of a globose and wavy stem. you could see that it is slightly depressed at the apex.
It would be dark green in color. They are not the plants which will grow in large sizes.
Hence many people tend to graft them into other cacti so that it would help to develop their further growth. The highlight of these plants are their ribs. Those ribs would be extremely close and wavy.
They would be asymmetrical and pleasantly soft as well. Further chances are that those will be animated to become three dimensional protrusions which you could spot as ripples.
They do not have any thorns despite being referred to as a cactus. These features would be helpful in identifying the Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus.
Size of the plant
These are small sized plants.
Growth rate
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus are a slow growing set of plants.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Echinofossulocactus inermis |
| Plant Type | Cactus |
| Mature Size | Small? |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight to Partial shade |
| Soil Type | Well draining |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Spring to summer |
| Flower Color | Purple and white |
| Hardiness Zones | 9-11, (-5°C/25°F, 4°C/40°F) |
| Native Area | Mexico |
| Toxicity | Non toxic |
| Average price | $ 8 |
How do you take care of Echinofossulocactus inermis?
Light Requirement
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus have typical requirements when it comes to sunlight.
This literally means they can survive with some indirect bright sunlight during morning hours and with some partial shade during the afternoon hours.
The exposure to direct sunlight would be harmful for them. If you wish to add them as indoor plants, you can place them near a bright sunny windowsill.
Having said that, if you wish to bring them outdoors from indoors, particularly during summer, you need to slowly accustom the plants to full sunlight.
If you end up exposing the Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus to full sunlight abruptly, it will result in traumatization in the plants and make them scorched.
Temperature and humidity
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus can perform well given that they get warmer temperatures.
Additionally, you need to protect the plants from colder weather. Ideally when , if any frosting is predicted, you need to immediately shift them indoors.
If you wish to keep them outdoors during winter, you can either relocate them to green houses or cover them with frost clothes.
Is it cold hardy?
USDA hardiness Zone
Watering Requirement
Just like with the rest of other succulents and cacti, you should be mindful to avoid over watering these plants.
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus can thrive with minimum watering level. Literally you should water them moderately during summer and skip watering them during colder times.
Besides, you need to wait until their soil becomes dry between two watering sessions so that you can avoid any potential over-watering conditions which could be placed in the pot.
If you end up over watering them, it will lead to diseases such as root rot. Ideally you need to give them a good soak of watering without watering them frequently.
Soil Requirement Type / pH.
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus would perform well, if you grow them in a soil mix which has excellent draining.
In addition to that, it has to have a good aeration as well. If you grow them in a regular potting mix, It will retain excess moisture in the pot and create waterlogged conditions in the pot.
Best would be to go ahead with a succulent or cactus soil mix which is specifically made for succulents and for cactus for them. Additionally , you can make a well draining soil mix on your own too.
Pot size Potting and Repotting.
You need to select an unglazed terracotta pot to grow the Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus.
Those are porous materials, and it would help to evaporate the excess water rapidly. Additionally, ensure it has one draining hole in the bottom. It will allow the excess water to move away.
In terms of repotting the Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus, you do not have to conduct repotting frequently as they are slow growers.
You can simply follow the general practices of repotting the cactus when it comes to repotting the Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus.
Repotting allows you to observe the plant’s roots and it will allow you to treat the unhealthy or damaged roots if you find any. Besides, it would allow the plants to absorb nutrients freshly too.
Where to Plant
Choose a place where these plants can fulfill their sunlight requirement. Besides, when you grow them as indoor plants you need to provide a substrate which has an excellent drainage.
Fertilizer and time of year
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus do not require fertilizers regularly.
However, I recommend feeding them during their active growing season so that it would be useful for them to develop new growths of the plants. Suspend feeding them when they are in their dormancy.
Flower
Echinofossulocactus flowers are purple and white in color and funnel-shaped. They bloom late spring to summer. The seeds are obovoid reddish to grayish and dry at maturity.
Dormancy
Toxicity
These plants are not toxic to humans or pets.
Common bugs and illnesses
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus are resistant to pests’ attacks and for diseases in general.
Having said that, if you supply them water in excess it would make the plants more prone towards bacterial infections for fungal infections.
Hence, it is important that you look after the plants and specially refrain from over watering them. Some of the pests which could be troublesome for the Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus are aphids, spider mites and scales.
How to propagate Echinofossulocactus inermis
You can propagate the Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus by its seeds.
Conclusion
Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus are such great plants which anybody would love to have. So I hope you found this article useful for you and it made you excited to own a Echinofossulocactus inermis cactus and grow them. Happy gardening !
Read Next : Parodia Mairanana | Cute Cactus With Sharp Thrones | Parodia Magnifica ( Beautiful And Amazing Ball Cactus )
