Synonyms:

• Cereus amoenus
• Echinocereus amoenus
• Echinopsis amoena
• Echinopsis pulchella var. amoena
• Echinopsis pulchella var. flore kermesina
• Echinopsis pulchella var. rosea

Habitat:

-It is widespread in northern Oaxaca, Puebla, Hidalgo, San Luis Potosi, and Queretaro (Mexico).

Description:

-Echinocereus pulchellus v. amoenus is a solitary or clumping cactus. Stems are flat and globular, usually 5-7cm in diameter, bluish-green in young plants. They are ribbed (9-13) with areoles and yellow spines. It produces abundant pink flowers, up to 6 cm in diameter.

Cultivation:

-It is an easy but slow plant to grow. Use very porous standard cactus mix soil. Its tap root needs a deep pot to grow in, with good drainage. Avoid overwaterings, this plant is very rot sensitive! Keep dry in winter. Minimum temperature is 5°C (but can tolerate brief periods above -5°C). It needs full sun exposure to light shade: direct sun for too long expose the plant to sunburn, but bright light encourages flowering.

Propagation:

-Propagate by seeds or cuttings.

Curiosity:

-This plant is very popular among collectionists as it remains compact and produces beautiful large flowers.