Fresh seed of Ferocactus wislizeni available here:
 
Ferocactus wislizeni naturally occurs in northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. It is a large growing desert cactus, globose when young and elongating with age. Some specimens up to 3 meters high have been recorded. The formidable thorns are curved backwards earning it the common name "Fishhook Cactus". Other names include Arizona Barrel Cactus, Candy Barrel Cactus, and Southwestern Barrel Cactus.

The plants prefer full sun when adult and grow relatively fast compared to some other barrel cacti.

The orange to reddish flowers appear in summer. After flowering big yellow fruits are formed that persist on top of the plant for months.

The propagation of Ferocactus wislizeni is from seed. Growth in the first few years is slow, but accelerates with age.


Ferocactus wislizeni prefers an outside well drained rockery. The plants can withstand a fair amount of watering in summer as long as the soil is not waterlogged. The minimum winter temperature is around -10 deg Celsius or more.


Ferocactus wislizeni in cultivation.


Flowers with seedpods from the previous year.

Ferocactus emoryi occurs in Mexico (Sonora) as well as in Arizona in the USA.

It is a large growing globular cactus eventually becoming columnar with age. Ferocactus emoryi can reach a height of about 1.5 meter.

Adult plants prefer full sun, while seedlings should be shaded.

The cactus flowers in summer and the flower colour can be red or yellow.

The given minimum temperature in some literature is 10 degrees Celsius. At Leopoort in the Southern Cape our adult plants have regularly withstood temperatures of -3 Celsius in midwinter, sometimes even lower, with no harm done. The plants should be watered mostly in summer and very sparingly (if at all) in winter.

The plants prefer a porous slightly calcareous soil.

Ferocactus emoryi is usually a solitary species and can only be propagated from seed.


Ferocactus emoryi flowering in cultivation.


Ferocactus emoryi flowers.

Fresh seed of Ferocactus latispinus(red spines) available here:

Ferocactus latispinus occurs naturally in central Mexico.

The plants mostly grow solitary, but will branch after damage. The flowers are purple, but a yellow flowering form is also found. In our botanical garden in South Africa the flowers usually appear in middle and late autumn.

Ferocactus latispinus a hardy plant in cultivation when grown in full sun. Water moderately during the summer months, and very little in winter.

Ferocactus latispinus is easy to grow from seed. The plants are very slow growing however and it takes a number of years before a specimen is large enough to leave the greenhouse for a permanent position in a rockery.


Ferocactus latispinus.

Ferocactus latispinus. Full sunlight is essential for healthy looking spines.


Ferocactus latispinus flower.