Echinocereus cinerascens subs. septentrionalis Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
: It occurs in the plateau region of northern central Mexico in San Luis Potosi and adjacent Zacatecas.
Altitude: 1200-1800 meters above sea level.
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: Echinocereus cinerascens subs. septentrionalisSN|7817]]SN|21855]] is one of the subspecies of the wide ranging and very variable Echinocereus cinerascensSN|7775]]. True to its name, it is found in northern part of the areal above to 1200 meter and distingushed from the type species by having stems about 6 cm in diameter with 6-8 ribs. The flowers, like in other varieties, are very showy, bright pink or purple up to 12 cm in diameter.
Habitat: Growing in patches 6 to 12 dm broad, branching at base, the stems semi-erect, ascending to decumbent about 3 dm tall.
Stems: Soft, pale green (that redden in full sun and with freezing climate), cylindrical, 10-30 cm tall about 6 cm in diameter; erect or slightly prostrate as they age.
Ribs: 6-8 blunt prominent, obtuse, slightly warty or evenly edged;
Areoles: Rather scattered, orbicular 5-15 or more apart.
Spines: 7-16 white or pale, straight, rough, 1,5 to 2 cm long.
Central spines: 1 to 4 (- 6), mostly 2-4,5 cm long.
Radial spines: 7-10 variable in length from 1 to 5,5 cm
Areoles: Circular largely spaced.
Flowers: Large, broadly funnel.shaped, including ovary, 6 to 8 cm long and up to 12 cm in diameter, pink to purple open petaled, usually with paler yellow, cream or green throat. They come from the side areoles. The tube very short; scales on ovary and tube small, acute, their axils crowded with short white wool and 6 to 8 long white bristles; inner perianth-segments, when dry, deep purple, 3 to 4 cm long, obtuse, stamens short.
Fruits: Nearly spherical, greenish spiny 2-3 cm in diameter, edible and delicious (tastes similar to strawberries just like Echinocereus cinerascensSN|7775]] and Echinocereus stramineusSN|21855]]SN|7817]] do)
: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
3) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
4) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
5) Jeff Nugent “Permaculture Plants: Agaves and Cacti” permacultureplants, 1999
6) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “The Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” Volume 3, 1922
7) Fitz Maurice, B, Sotomayor, M., Fitz Maurice, W.A., Hernández, H.M. & Smith, M. 2013. Echinocereus cinerascens. In: "IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species." Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 26 October 2013.
: Echinocereus cinerascens subs. septentrionalisSN|21855]]SN|21855]] is an easily grown cactus, suited to hanging baskets as well as pots. This cactus is widely cultivated for its flowers, it is among the easiest species to grow, flower and propagate.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing and easily flowering species that will make large clumps given the best conditions.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil. Prefer a low pH compost, avoid substrata rich in limestone; otherwise growth will stop altogether.
Repotting: Use pot with good drainage.
Watering: Needs moderate to copious waterings rom March to October, but do not overwater (Rot prone), keep dry in winter.
Fertilization: Feed with a high potassium fertilizer in summer.
Hardiness: Reputedly moderately resistant to frost if kept on the dry side prior to, and during, cold weather (hardy to -5 C ° C, for short periods). This cactus needs a period of cool rest in winter to produce flowers abundantly. Without this cool winter period these plants normally won't get many buds. It may flowers indoors if conditions suit it.
Exposition: The plant tolerates extremely bright situations but enjoys filtered sunlight or afternoon shade during the hottest part of the summer, inside it needs bright light, and some direct sun. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Uses: It is an excellent plant for container growing. Cascading, clustering, great for a hanging display. Stems may possibly become purple and limp in winter, but revitalize in early spring. It look fine in a cold greenhouse and frame or outdoor in a rockery.
Pests & diseases: It may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by watering the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new growth among the wool with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales: Scales are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot it is only a minor problem with cacti if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Seeds or (usually) cutting. The stems of this cactus branches readily and soon forms a mass of shoots the simplest way to propagate it is to cut a piece of a stem (or of a stolon) in summer, let it dry for a couple of days, and pot it up. Just let them lay on the soil with no assistance and you have a new start.
Echinocereus cinerascens (DC.) Lem.: has stems 4-12 cm in diameter with 6-12 ribs, flowers pink or magenta to 12 cm in diameter. Distribution: Central Mexico above 2000 m (Hidalgo, México, Guanajuato, Querétaro, San Luís Potosí, Zacatecas.)
