ferrocactus

23 years ago

Hi just joined up today and have been browsing. this is my first go at asking questions. i'm also new to cactus.

have this huge spiny ball growing ina tyre tube. i believe it is a ferrocactus? Anyway, it has about 15 yellow flower buds on top. it flowered last year around this time. there are old flower heads on it. my question is: Can these old flower heads be sown and how does one do it. i tried just leaving them in a pot but nothing has happened. i also opened some pods but there were no seeds inside. can anyone help me out on this one please.

thanks jancc

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Comments (6)

Dave61
23 years ago
Hi Jancc
I don't think the old flower heads of Ferocactus can be sown. Shame there weren't any seeds inside.
Regards Dave61
diddiShepparton
23 years ago
its not echinocactus grusonii?
they have yellow flowers and fit your description
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jancc
Original Author
23 years ago
Hi diddiShepparton,
going by the photoI have in a book it said it was a Ferrocactus. Very like a Golden barrel. it is dark green with great hooked barbs on it. It would be about two feet high. its in one of those pots they make out of truck tyres by cutting and turning them out, if you know what I mean? Has a ring of flower buds around the top (25), and they open up about three a day. Have a small pink cactus in flower and will try to hand polinate it. Someone else told me to do this as they don't self polinate.
I've taken a photo of it.
Cheers Jancc
jancc
Original Author
23 years ago
back again
have just found the blighter on 'cactustropicalgarden' site. they have some fantastic photos.
it was on there and is a Ferocactus peninsulae var. townsendianus.
only thing is mine is about twenty times the size. it started out as one of those little things in big w for a couple of dollars. it has been in flower for several weeks now and has had at least thirty blooms. hope to get some seeds from it. the bees have been busy. if anyone wants seeds i am happy to send them off.
cheers Jan
jancc
Original Author
23 years ago
just counted the flowers on this beauty. 42 - with four to go.
littlelisie
23 years ago
Hi Jancc!
Sounds like you have a fantastic plant there, how long have you had it? I can trade you some Melocactus connoideus seeds if you're interested, I have a gazillion of them and every morning when I look out my window I see more fruit popping out his hat on top! Let me know if you're keen.
Lis :D

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