1、 Introduction to Golden Ball Cactus

 Echinocactus Grusonii Hildm., which is also known as Golden barrel, Golden ball cactus, or ivory ball.

2、 The Distribution and Growth Habits of the Golden Ball Cactus

 The distribution of the golden Ball cactus: it is native to the dry and hot desert area from San Luis Potosi to Hidalgo in central Mexico.

The growth habit of the golden ball cactus: it likes sufficient sunlight, and needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Shading should be appropriate in summer, but not too much, otherwise the ball will become longer, which will reduce the viewing value. The suitable temperature for growth is 25 ℃ in the day and 10~13 ℃ in the night. The suitable temperature difference between day and night can accelerate the growth of golden ball cactus. In winter, it should be placed in a greenhouse or in a sunny place, and the temperature should be kept at 8~10 ℃. If the temperature is too low in winter, ugly yellow spots will appear on the sphere.

3、 Plant Morphology and Varieties of the Golden Ball Cactus

The shape of the golden ball cactus: the stem is round, single or clustered, it can reach a height of 1.3 meters and a diameter of 80 cm or more. The ball top is densely covered with golden wool. There are 21-37 of edges, significant. The thorn base is large, dense and hard, the thorn is golden, and then become brown, with 8-10 of radiation thorn, 3 cm long, and 3-5 of middle thorn, thick, slightly curved, 5 cm long. Flowering from June to October, the flower grows in the wool tuft at the top of the ball, bell-shaped, 4-6 cm, yellow, and the flower tube is covered with sharp scales.

Variety of golden ball cactus: Var.albispinus: the white thorn variety of golden barrel, with snow-white thorn leaves, is more precious than the original species. Cereus pitajaya DC.: the curved thorn variety of golden barrel, and the middle thorn is wider than the original species. Short thorn: It is a short thorn variety of the golden barrel. The thorn leaves are inconspicuous short blunt thorns, which are precious and rare species. 

4、 Reproduction method of golden ball cactus

The golden ball cactus is propagated by seeding or ball grafting.