Accepted Scientific Name: Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii (Engelm.) N.P.Taylor
Cactaceae Consensus Init. 5: 13. 1998
Ferocactus uncinatus var. wrightii (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
SB840 Cuatrocienagas. Tiny blue-grey stems. Hooked coloured spines. Frost hardy to temperatures as low as -12° C.
Origin and Habitat: Widespread and relatively common over a large area ranging from South-western US (Texas, New Mexico), to Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Nuevo León, Sonora, Zacatecas).
Habitat: Chihuahuan desert scrub, semi-desert grasslands, limestone outcrops, sometimes igneous 500-2000 m often growing within tuft of grass, this suggest that grasses are the most important nurse plants for this cactus..
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Sclerocactus uncinatus
Common Names include:
ENGLISH: Eagle-claw Cactus, Mountain Fishhook Cactus, Brown Flowered Hedgehog, Turk's Head, Cat-claw Cactus, Wright's Fishhook Cactus
RUSSIAN (Русский): Склерокактус г-жи Райт
Description: Medium sized solitary cactus with very long central hooked spines .
Stem: Globose or short columnar glaucous green or greysh green in colour, up to 15 cm tall, and not more than 8 cm in diameter.
Ribs: Protruding, 9-15 mm hight, 6-10 mm wide, deeply notched and thus almos divide in tubercles,
Spines: New spines in young areoles are pink to reddish, later straw coloured to pale gray.
Radial spines: 8-10 , abaxial 3 hooked , nearly as thick as central spines 15-45 mm long.
Central spines: Hooked, 5-12 cm long.
Root: Tap root.
Flowers: Relatively small, Approx. 2-4 cm. long, 2-3 cm in diameter. Very distinctive brick-red to purplish or brownish purple, usually dark or dull. (Much the colour of Mammillaria pottsiiSN|9355]]SN|9355]] flowers). Several flowers usually develop together at the stem apex.
Blooming season: Spring (March-May), the flowers remain open for up to twelve days.
Fruits: Roundish, bright red, with numerose conspicuous white fringed scales, pulp mealy. Fruiting May-June. it is common to see several fruit developing simultaneously at the stem apex.
Remarks: The northern species Glandulicactus uncinatusSN|3482]]SN|3474]] var. wrightii has characteristic red fruits while the similiar and often confused Glandulicactus uncinatusSN|3474]]SN|3474]] var. uncinatus has green fruits and is endemic in and around San Luis Potosí, Mexico south of var. wrightii; perhaps it is more similar to Glandulicactus mathssoniiSN|3474]]SN|3482]] from even farther south (Guanajuato).
More...Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Sclerocactus uncinatus group
Ferocactus uncinatus var. wrightii (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Peiffer Clement
Ferocactus uncinatus var. wrightii (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Ferocactus uncinatus var. wrightii (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
A drop of nectar from from the areolar glands on the tubercles groove. (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Cactus Art
Ferocactus uncinatus var. wrightii (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Valentino Vallicelli
Ferocactus uncinatus var. wrightii (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Cactus Art
Ferocactus uncinatus var. wrightii (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Cactus Art
Ferocactus uncinatus var. wrightii (Sclerocactus uncinatus subs. wrightii) Photo by: Cactus ArtCultivation and Propagation: This plant is relatively rare in cultivation and has the fame to be difficult to grow on its own roots because it is very sensitive to overwatering (rot prone) and slow-growing. This species is extremely xerophytic, cold hardy and adapted to very dry soils.
Soil: Grow it in an open mineral, sandy-gritty cactus compost.
Pots: It needs a relatively large or deep pot to accommodate its extensive roots and provide a very good drainage. They may stay in the same pot for many years.
Watering: Water it sparingly and keep it completely dry during winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. Mature individuals easily rot and die especially after planting so be extremely cautious with watering. Water it less than average if in bigger pots.
Special need: Provide very good ventilation. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation, especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. They must have very dry atmosphere.
Fertilization: Feed them once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They thrive in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Exposure: It will do its best with lots of sun and become stressed with inadequate light which could result in poor growth and unnatural shape.
Hardiness: An unheated greenhouse would be perfect. It can survive low temperatures, approx. -7° (-12°) C.
Use: This is a good pot plant suited for a non heated green house. It can be also cultivated outdoors in raised beds, terraces if sheltered from winter rain. This cactus continues to be, a particular prize among collectors.
Pests & diseases: These cacti 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: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally they develop aerial into the new leaves and flowers with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales, thrips and aphids: (they are rarely a problem.)
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Seeds are relatively easy to germinate, but some seedling die each year. The seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sandy soil, any time during the spring when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the 1-2 weeks cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shade-cloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow. Grafting is often used to speed growth rate and to create a back-up for plants in collection.
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