The genus Ferocactus is among the most appreciated and cultivated by cactus enthusiasts. It is the thorny cactus par excellence, with strong and long thorns, often hooked, and with age it can reach considerable size even if cultivated in pots. Let’s see, in this wonderful gallery of photos taken by Ben Grillo, how these plants grow in their natural habitat. (…)
Month: February 2019
Echinocactus polycephalus: an extraordinary series of photos to see how it grows in habitat
Observing cacti and succulent plants in their natural environment is very useful. It allows us to get to know the plants we grow and allows us to understand in what conditions they live in their habitat, so that we can then try, as far as possible, to create optimal conditions for their correct growth.
Comparing with other growers and investing in some targeted travel is undoubtedly the best, but there is also a lot to learn from photographs. For this reason, very gladly, I publish a series of extraordinary contributions made with the beautiful photographs taken by my friend Ben Grillo, whom I sincerely thank for his contribution to this site.
How to cultivate Euphorbia: tips to best care for these succulents loved by all the cactophiles
The succulent species belonging to the Euphorbia family (Euphorbiaceae) are appreciated and cultivated by many cacti lovers. The variability in the forms and some cultivation affinities with cacti make these plants an excellent alternative to “vary” the collections of succulents. However, it is essential to know the primary main needs of Euphorbias to grow them successfully. Euphorbiaceae is the fourth largest family of angiosperms, i.e. flowering plants. The Euphorbiaceae are divided into 5 subfamilies, 300 genera and 6.000 species, many of which are succulent. These plants have a very variable bearing: they can be in the form of small grasses, or in the form of real shrubs; they can be columnar or caespitose, very thorny or with a perfectly smooth stem. Also, they can hold leaves, but they can be devoid of them. Euphorbiaceae, unlike Cactaceae (exclusively originating from the Americas) come from almost every part of the world, except, of course, the Arctic and Antarctic areas. Some species come from Africa, others from the Americas or from Asia.
You can deepen the knowledge of Euphorbiaceae in the following article, with description, images, curiosities and cultivation techniques specific to this plant family. (…)
