Synonyms:

The name “Ferocactus glaucescens f. inermis” is actually a synonym of “Ferocactus glaucescens f. nudus. Both names are, however, used in the nursery world. Another synonym is Ferocactus glaucescens var. unispinus.

Habitat:

Ferocactus glaucescens f. inermis has been produced in nurseries for garden cultivation. The wild type of this species is found across a large area spanning from Guanajuato to Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, and Hidalgo in the Eastern central region of Mexico, including locations such as Meztitlan, Toliman, and Jacala.

Description:

Ferocactus glaucescens f. inermis is another form of Ferocactus glaucescens, a species of desert plant found in various parts of the world. This cultivar also comes in various forms, ranging from completely spineless plants to partially inermis plants with one or few spines per areoles. Typically, the spines are present only in young plants or on new lateral branches and completely disappear in mature stems. However, all other characteristics, such as the size and shape of stems, flowers, fruits, and roots, clearly indicate that they are conspecific. This barrel cactus can grow to be up to 55 cm in height and 50 cm in diameter, with a glaucous grey stem that is initially globular depressed at the apex and becomes shortly columnar as it ages. It has 11 to 15 prominent, acute, slightly tuberculate ribs that are expanded under the areoles, which are greyish-white felted, young areoles circular, becoming elongate in mature flowering plants up to 15 mm long, and constricted between the flower and the spine-bearing section, 2-3 cm apart, or even less in old plants. This plant blooms in late spring and summer, producing lemon yellow, funnel-shaped flowers that are 3-4 cm in diameter and last a very long time. The fruits are white, 2 cm long, with the remnants of the flowers attached. The plant can produce multiple heads as it ages and can form a very large mound.

Cultivation:

Ferocactus glaucescens is an easy-to-grow plant that requires little care once it has reached a nice flowering size. Although it is slow-growing to start, it is well-suited for any rich, well-drained soil in full sun throughout the year. If grown in a pot, it should be planted in a fairly roomy, well-drained container filled with a porous cactus soil mixture that does not contain too much humus. To ensure robust plants, water and fertilize during the aestival growth cycle; this plant needs plenty of water, usually about once a week. However, it’s important to avoid wetting the bodies of these plants while they are in sunlight, as a wet cactus in the sun can cause sun burning, which can lead to scars or even fungal infections and death. In winter, it should be kept completely dry at 10°C to maintain a healthier plant, although it can tolerate sporadic light frost.

Propagation:

Propagation of Ferocactus glaucescens is possible through cuttings made from pieces of the stem of any size. These cuttings should be detached and laid aside for a few days to allow a protective “skin” to form over the cut, after which they can be planted in pots. Place them in a spot where they will receive sun, and do not water until the soil becomes fairly dry. After a while, the soil can be moistened regularly, but never kept constantly saturated.

Curiosity:

The name “Ferocactus” comes from the Latin word “ferox,” meaning fierce or savage, which refers to the plant’s sharp spines. Ferocactus glaucescens f. inermis is also known as the “blue barrel cactus” due to its striking blue-grey color. This cactus can live for over 100 years in the wild, and up to 50 years in cultivation. This cactus is also used in traditional medicine by indigenous peoples in Mexico to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive issues and skin conditions.

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