How to care for a Golden Barrel Cactus

Echinocactus Grusonii, or Golden Barrel Cacti, are round cacti that look like pin cushions. They have sharp spines that range from yellow to red or tan depending on their age and, if kept outdoors, bloom bright yellow or orange flowers in the spring. Give them plenty of sun and don’t water them often in the winter.

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  • Very little
  • Once a year
  • Bright direct light
  • Not toxic
  • Once a month in summer

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  • Cacti are great air purifiers and this one is no exception.
  • Golden Barrel Cacti are not poisonous but it’s never fun to get pricked by one.
  • From spring to fall, Golden Barrel Cacti can be watered once their soil has dried. In winter, they need very little water, if any.
  • These plants need plenty of direct sunshine but, if summers in your area get especially hot, you should provide some time in the shade to avoid sunburn.
  • In the summer, Golden Barrel Cacti need to be fertilized every four weeks with a high potassium fertilizer.
  • When Golden Barrel Cacti are growing, they need to be repotted once a year, in the spring. Once matured, they can be repotted about every two to three years.
  • They produce yellow flowers in mid-summer, though they are unlikely to bloom if grown indoors. They don’t generally need pruning.
  • Soft, dark spots at the crown indicate fungal infection from overwatering. Fungal infection can’t be cured, so be careful to let your plant dry between waterings and to keep it out of the rain. They are also susceptible to some pests, including the larvae of cactus longhorn beetles and the agave plant bug. Remove beetles by hand to prevent the larvae from burrowing into its roots and use an insecticidal soap to kill agave bugs.

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