Melocactus azureus subs. ferreophilus Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: Melocactus ferreophilusSN|18934]]SN|18934]] is a narrowly endemic species restricted to a very small area less than 100 km2 in the upper drainage of the Rio Jacaré and tributaries, between América Dourada, Barro Alto and Souto Soares, in central Bahia, Brazil.
Altitude: 700 to 850 metres above sea level.
Habitat: The species grows on raised, exposed limestone outcrops in caatinga forest. It is critically endangered, occuring at a single location, with four subpopulations, two of them are probably extinct, and there is continuing decline in the number of mature individuals and subpopulations, mainly from excavation for stone. Major threats are mining, road construction and the impact of collectors.
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Melocactus azureus
Description: Melocactus azureusSN|18932]]SN|18932]] subs. ferreophilus is one of the rarest of the Brazilian melocacti that distingushes from the standard Melocactus azureusSN|18932]]SN|18932]] for its green epidermis (never frosty blue) with white wool (never brown) and conspicuous reddish bristles that protrude noticeably from the cephalia (not exerted in subsp. azureus). This plant has a reputation for being more difficult to cultivate than most.
Stem: Globose, to cylindrical (9-)14-30(-45 cm) tall and 14-20 cm in diameter, green, grey-green, never glaucous, with mucilage present in the chlorophyllous cortical tissues
Ribs: 9-10(-12, acute, triangular in cross section.
Areoles: 1,5-2 cm apart.
Spines: Spines black to reddish, overlaid with grey, some hooked in seedlings.
Central spines: 1-3(-4) slightly curved to straight 2-4,6 cm long.
Radial spines: 7-11 very stout, lowermost longest up to 5 cm long.
Cephalium: 3,5-12 tall, 7-10 cm wide, with white wool (never brown) and conspicuous reddish bristles that protrude noticeably from the cephalia.
Flowers: Small 15-23 mm long 4-11 mm in diameter pink to magenta, with approx. 25 perianth-segments visible from above.
Flowering Time: Spring to late autumn (fall).
Fruits: Small, white to pale pink above 15-29 mm long, 3-10 mm across. Not produced on isolated plants (self-sterile).
Seeds: Smooth 1-1,7 x 0,9-1,5 mm wide.
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Melocactus azureus group
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) 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
2) David Hunt, Nigel Taylor “The New Cactus Lexicon” DH Books, 2006
3) Edward F. Anderson “The Cactus Family” Timber Press, 2001
4) Kakteen und andere Succulenten 35: 159 1984.
5) Sara Oldfield “Cactus and Succulent Plants: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan” IUCN, 01/gen/1997
6) Erik Haustein “Der Kosmos-Kakteenführer.” Kosmos / Gesellschaft der Naturfreunde., Stuttgart, 1983
7)Braun, P., Taylor, N.P., Machado, M. & Zappi, D. 2013. Melocactus ferreophilus. In: IUCN 2013. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 20 August 2013.
Cultivation and Propagation: These tropical cacti are not the easiest things to grow and aren’t plants for beginners.
Growth rate: It is a relatively rapidly growing given the best conditions.
Soils: It likes very porous standard cactus mix soil.
Repotting: The root system is weak and generally resents being repotted and can take a long time to re-establish. Use pot with good drainage.
Light: They preferes very bright light, not as much as the most arid growing cacti, but plenty nonetheless. Tends to bronze in strong light, which encourages flowering and heavy spine production.
Watering: Melocacti grow from April to October and cannot endure long stretches of total dryness, and also too much water will rot them, as their weak root systems tends to be inefficient at sucking up water from wet soil. Nonetheless, again as a result of their tropical origins, they need a fair amount of water, but allow the soil to dry quite a bit before watering again.
Fertilization: Feeding may not be necessary at all if the compost is fresh then, feed in summer only if the plant hasn't been repotted recently. Do not feed the plants from September onwards as this can cause lush growth which can be fatal during the darker cold months.
Hardiness: Melocactus rest from October to April but can’t stand cold, or even fairly cool temperatures, so is indispensable to keep them above 8-12°C at all times, severe damage or death occurring at temperatures that the great majority of cacti wouldn’t mind in the least and prefer more frequent water in winter than other cacti, say once a month. (but hardy to 4 C ° C for short periods). However warmth throughout the year will increase the grower's success ( minimumum12° to 20° C during rest season). In the rest period no high atmospheric humidity!! (Temperature Zone: USDA 10-12)
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: they may be effectively rubbed up by misting the vulnerable plants every day
- Mealy bugs: occasionally they 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.
- Sciara Flies: they are one of the major problems for seedlings. It is a good practice to mulch your seedlings with a layer of grit, which will strongly discourage the flies.
- Scales: they are rarely a problem.
It is wise to treat your whole collection with a systemic insecticide twice a year in spring and autumn.
- 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: Exclusively by Seeds. Sow in February-march in a light, sandy, porous soil. Cover germinating tray with glass to prevent seed from drying out. Germination is most successful at a temperature of 18 to 22° C.
Melocactus azureus Buining & Bredero: (subsp. azureus) has striking glaucous blue stems, especially when young. Cephalia with brown tufts of wool and reddish bristles usually not protruding. Distribution: Northern central Bahia.
