Cactus – Dry Flower

A rather beautiful barrel cactus – great for a sunny spot in your home! It is commonly, and rather amusingly named Mother-in-Law’s Cushion – very descriptive don’t you think?

Echinocactus gusonii is originally from the Mexican interior where it is now considered an endangered species. The large examples are particularly prone to theft and those are the plants that breed.

This plant can grow really old and could reach approx. 1 metre high! It makes offshoots of little bulb cacti making it a really decorative item.

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Temperature: Mother-in-Law’s Cushion grows well in a warm and bright spot in the living room

Light Preference : Stand your cactus in a sunny spot.

Electrical lighting: it does Well in offices or fluorescent lighting

Irrigation of water: Water moderately as the compost may often get dry. During the winter, give the Echinocactus grusonii small amounts of cool water.

Soil :It’s best to use a compost for cacti or mix some sharp sand or fine gravel with ordinary potting compost. Choose a pot with holes in the base and cover the bottom with a layer of potsherds or hydro-pellets.

Pot Size : Keep it in a small pot .

Flowering : Echinocactus grusonii can flower but only once it reaches 20 years old. The flower is usually yellow, or cream.

Fertilization and feeding: In spring, slowly start adding some water into the compost along with a small amount of plant food.

Toxicity : Not considered toxic however the spines are sharp so When handling cactus, use newspaper folded into strips, or use thick gardening gloves to avoid the spines.