Echinopsis Hakujo | An Amazing Cactus Ball |

Echinopsis Hakujo are extraordinary cacti hailing from Japan, and they belong to the cactaceae family. Echinopsis Hakujo are used to grow in hot and dry conditions. 

Further , even a beginner in gardening can start growing them since they require only easy maintenance . They have water conserved in that body and that makes them thrive in drought conditions. 

They would further be great picks for green houses too. Besides, you can grow them in suitable containers too. 

Echinopsis Hakujo is a Japanese cultivator. So, this article is a comprehensive guide on how to look after these plants well, their propagation modes and the issues you may come across when you are growing them.

Echinopsis Hakujo

How do I identify Echinopsis Hakujo?

Echinopsis Hakujo has a very peculiar rib shape. They further consist of ribs which have wooly areolas. Echinopsis Hakujo have a characteristic white tomentose line which would connect all the areoles to one another. 

The Echinopsis Hakujo bloom would be white in color. Further they may tend to take the shape of a trumpet. Besides, those flowers carry a fragrance as well.

Further you can spot the Echinopsis Hakujo blooms in pale yellow color in addition white color as well. They would reach a maximum height of 0.2 m once they grow to their best potential.

Growth rate

Echinopsis Hakujo are a fast growing set of plants.

One look care guide

Botanical NameEchinopsis Hakujo
Plant TypeSucculent
Mature Size0.2 m in height
Sun ExposureFull sunlight to partial shade
Soil TypeWell-draining
Soil pH6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Bloom TimeSpring
Flower ColorWhite, pale yellow
Hardiness ZonesUSDA hardiness zones 10a to 11.
Native AreaJapan
ToxicityNon Toxic
Average price USD 8

How do you take care of Echinopsis Hakujo?

Light Requirement 

Echinopsis Hakujo prefers to have full sunlight during morning hours and filtered sunlight during intense hours during summer. 

See also  Haworthia Cooperi Watering | 15 Very Important Facts |

Do not leave them into darkness as it would be unhealthy for them. Further, it would make the plants more prone towards rot with over watering. 

If you expose the plants for too much sunlight, it will pave the way for sunburns in the plants. 

Having said that, you need to expose them to adequate sunlight for about 5-6 hours so that they can produce flowers and grow vigorously. 

Besides, if you have kept them indoors for some time and wish to bring them outdoors to provide more sunlight, you need to do that in a manner where you do not expose them for intense sunlight abruptly.

Temperature and humidity

You can keep them outdoors during summer as they are fond of having warmer temperatures right throughout. 

Make sure that you keep them dry during winter in particular. . They can tolerate colder temperatures up to 32 degrees Fahrenheit ( 0 degrees Celsius). 

However, do not expose them to much colder conditions for too long. If you do so, it would bring an unhealthy impact on the plants. Chances are that it may even kill the plants too.

Is it cold hardy?

Echinopsis Hakujo can handle colder temperatures up to 32 degrees Fahrenheit ( 0 degrees Celsius).

Zone

Echinopsis Hakujo opt to grow in USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11.

Watering Requirement

In terms of watering the Echinopsis Hakujo, you need to water them quite often when they are actively growing and producing blooms. 

On the other hand, minimize watering them in winter and in fall as they will be more dormant during these periods. 

You can just water them once a month to keep them thriving during this period and to sustain them until summer.

See also  Are There Weeds That Look Like Succulents? | Tips For A Beautiful Garden |

You need to adjust the watering frequency depending on the soil type you used, the pot type you have grown them and on the existing weather. 

Furthermore, you need to always water them if they are dry from the previous watering session only. 

Never water them in abundance as they are adapted to grow in drought conditions, and since due to the fact that they have water conserved in their foliage. 

After every watering, check whether the excess water is draining away from the pot without retaining within the pot. Do not leave the roots to be in waterlogged and soggy conditions since it would be harmful for the plants.

Soil Requirement Type / pH

You need to choose a soil mix which has a good drainage and a good aeration when selecting the right soil mix for these plants. 

If you use a soil mix which retains water for too long, it would be troublesome for them and lead to rot. 

Furthermore, you could add elements such as perlite and pebbles to loosen up the soil mix. Moreover, I recommend using sand as a top layer of the soil mix too.

Pot size Potting and Repotting

The right pot which would suit the Echinopsis Hakujo is a pot type which will have sufficient drainage. You may choose any size of container as long as they have one or two draining holes. 

You can repot the plants once every three years in general. However, I encourage doing that in the warmer season only. Further you need to do that only if their soil is dry too.

Next you need to gently remove the plants and clean the older soil around the roots. Next you need to snip off the dead plant parts and then clean those cuttings with a fungicide. 

See also  Jellyfish Air Plant | A Beautiful Combination of Nature And Creativity |

After that you can place the plants in the pot and fill the potting soil with that. Next you need to leave the plant to wither for one or two weeks. 

Finally, you can water them lightly to moisten them. Do not damage the plant’s roots when conducting the repotting though.

Fertilizer and time of year

Echinopsis Hakujo do not depend a lot on fertilizers. However, you may consider feeding them lightly during summer. Avoid feeding them when they are dormant.

Flower

Echinopsis Hakujo flowers tend to take a trumpet shape and you could spot them forming in white , pale-yellow color.

Dormancy

Echinopsis Hakujo will go dormant during winter.

Toxicity

Echinopsis Hakujo are nonpoisonous plants.

Common bugs and illnesses

Echinopsis Hakujo may resist pests’ attacks and diseases in general. However, you need to watch out for regular pests such as Aphids, mealybugs and scale. In addition to that, over watering could also result in root rot. Further it would make the plants susceptible for other pests attacks as well.

How to propagate Echinopsis Hakujo?

You could propagate the Echinopsis Hakujo by using their offsets. They would usually arise around the base of the plants. 

You only have to cut off their offsets closer to the stem and then plant them in a well draining soil mix. Apart from this, if you wish to use the cuttings you need to simply obtain them from the plants and allow them to wither. 

It would take a few days for them to wither and once they are withered you could place the cuttings in a suitable potting mix as explained in the above.

You can consider misting them lightly to keep them moist.The cuttings would root during a few weeks’ time. Once you spot them producing roots you could shift them to individual pots.

Conclusion

I hope you were able to educate yourself on how to grow the Echinopsis Hakujo plants well and the right care tips you need to practice. Happy cultivating with Echinopsis Hakujo plants!

Credit to : AMO tribe
Read Next : Why Are Christmas Cactus Dropping Buds?
About author

I’m Dr. Chamika, As a hobby love talking about plants and showing you that taking care of indoor plants. My website is knowledge I’ve learned over the years and continue to learn about growing succulents. If you’re a succulent lover, then you have come to the correct place.