Saturday, November 10, 2007

Echinopsis pentlandii longispinus

Echinopsis pentlandii longispinus


The Echinopsis pentlandii longispinus is an interesting species with its hundreds of helter-skelter extra long spines, some of which are four inches long. I don’t know any other species of Echinopsis that has spines like this, which is what attracted me to this cactus. This long-spined form has a more elongated stem than E. pentlandii, whose stem is ball-like.

E. pentlandii longispinus needs little water, and in Phoenix, light shade. Actually, it’s not suited for Zone 9b gardens because it is frost tender, but potted specimens do well if protected during the coldest weather. USDA Zones 10-12 are ideal for this species.


I purchased this cactus just last month, so I’ll have to wait until spring to see what color the flowers turn out to be. This species can produce flowers that range from pink to red and orange to yellow. I would love it if they turned out to be a bright yellow or deep pink.


5 comments:

Julie said...

These longispinus need to come and prong me in the a - - !!!!!
Julie

Pudgeduck said...

Love your new blog header.

Anonymous said...

what an interesting species! I have never seen one with spines that long!

MrBrownThumb said...

I've never heard of these and with spines that long I'm glad I've never come across one because I'd find a way to get stuck in the leg with one.

Anonymous said...

I love the long spines.
Very cool.