Echinocereus scopulorum Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Origin and Habitat: Mexico (coastal Sonora, Tiburon Island, coastal Sinaloa)
Habitat: Chihuahuan Desert, desert scrub, mostly semidesert grasslands, rocky slopes, mostly igneous substrates.
Synonyms:
Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Sonoran Rainbow Cactus
Description: Unbranched (rarely few branched).
Stems: Erect, short cylindric, to 20(-40) × 4-6 cm;
Ribs: 13-19, crests slightly undulate, sometimes tuberculate;
Areoles: Round , closely set 4-8 mm apart.
Spines: 13-17 per areole, stiff and straight, white, pink, brown or gray, becoming gray with dark tips; radial spines 12-17 per areole, appressed to spreading, 2-12 mm; central spines (0-)1-4 per areole, projecting, 1-4 mm.
Flowers: 5-8 × 7-10 cm; inner tepals purplish pink, darker proximal portion and midstripes, tips relatively thin and delicate; anthers dark yellow. Filaments and throat greenish.
Blooming times: Spring to summer
Fruits: Dark green, brownish tinged, 15-23 mm, pulp white, fruiting 2 months after flowering.
Echinocereus scopulorum Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Echinocereus scopulorum Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli Echinocereus scopulorum Photo by: Cactus Art Echinocereus scopulorum Photo by: Cactus Art Echinocereus scopulorum Photo by: Cactus Art Echinocereus scopulorum Photo by: Cactus Art Cultivation and Propagation: E. scopulorum is relatively easy to grow and very attractive. Rot easily it is sensitive to overwatering (rot prone), so perfect soil drainage is a must. It prefer a neutral to slightly acidic compost with plenty of extra grit. Best if watered with rain water and given an occasional tonic of sequestrated iron. In the summer they need an airy location in bright sun; well watered when it's hot. To achieve the best spine colours give these plants lots of sun. In the winter light, cool, and absolutely dry conditions. Very cold resistant above approx -12C or less for short periods of time. In mild climate they grow well when planted freely outside in well-drained soil.
Propagation: Seeds