Golden Barrel Cactus

On Jan 14, 2017, plusninety from Sochi,
Russia (Zone 9b) wrote:

Great plant. I bought a medium sized plant 2 years ago, it grows outside in Sochi, Russia(9B zone). In winter I protect it from rains just with a cover, it's not harmed with light frosts. Must have plant in my opinion.

On Apr 22, 2011, baiissatva from Dunedin,
New Zealand wrote:

I love you too, Golden Barrel!
I have a medium sized potted specimen in the standard golden variety, have just sprung for a brevispinus version (pricey but even MORE awesome?) and am looking now for the white one which is also a great big bouncy prickly ball of amazingness. So uncomplaining, so handsome, and more beautiful with every passing year.

If you don't already have one, buy one today, because you don't know what you're missing. That whistling hole in your spiritual plane- it's the lack of a Golden Barrel. Trust me.

Cultivation- there isn't really any. Stick it in a decent pot with a good hole and give it some drainage. Don't freeze it solid, though it's apparently pretty hardy especially when dry. Don't fry it by taking it outdoors in th... read moree middle of summer because you've decided it would look great in the garden. Water regularly, if prudently, for maximum growth and symmetry. Pretty simple really.

They look incredible massed in a landscape, as someone has already pointed out, especially against bright green and blue plants with a dark mulch.

Did I say how much I love this plant?
See some of our plants and gardenalia at The Blackthorn Orphans.com

On Nov 9, 2009, basketsyea from Elizabethtown, KY wrote:

Echinocactus grusonii has done extremely well for me. I live in Kentucky where it is humid most of the year -- especially in
the summer. I purchased a good-sized plant sometime in the
early 1960's and it is still living! It has bloomed for the past 6
or 7 years -- all summer long! I just can't figure out how to go about removing it from it's Italian clay pot to put it in a larger
pot. I really don't want to break the pot and the spines are
BAD!

On Sep 12, 2008, AarronIkarus from Onalaska, WA (Zone 8b) wrote:

This plant is a of Queretaro de Arteaga, Mexico. I like the yellow color and wish I could get more of them to grow in this greenhouse.

On May 5, 2007, daleL from Las Cruces, NM (Zone 8b) wrote:

bought one with three pups 5 yrs. ago. it now has 3 more pups form the 'mom' and a pup one of the original pups. no flowers yet. this early spring we had over an inch of rain (wow). all the larger apple and cow's tongue are blooming profusely ( what a beautiful sight.

On Jun 21, 2005, StarGazey26 from (Zone 10a) wrote:

I have always loved Barrel Cactus.. Although i have never owned one, until now!! I went to Albertsons today, and i was just checking out what little plants they have, and i couldnt believe it when i saw that they had Barrel Cactus.. They all were in 8" pots, and they were only 1 dollar!?!?!?! Can u believe that! So i got two! I asked the manager how long they have been there, and he said over 2 weeks, and no one has bought any. So i was the first to buy two! They have a lot, but i just wanted two, my yard is kinda crowded right now.. I just fertalized them, and i know they will get nice and big for me, I love you Barrel Cactus!

On Jul 25, 2004, Scarlete from Tampa, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

Although this plant seems to be doing well in my Tampa back yard I'm not sure if I should move it. It appears that it might be getting too much water --needs more drainage.

It is also partially shaded.

Other than that (check my pics) it fairs well. It was here when I moved in (September 03) so I'm not sure how long the previous owner had it, she planted it but she had only lived here 2 years previously.

I've never seen it flower, but that might be that it needs more sun.