Echinopsis eyriesii

Many species of the genus Echinopsis produce flowers with white petals, but our protagonist is different: its color is also pink, so although at first it may seem like a common cactus, when it blooms we realize that it has a value very interesting ornamental.

His scientific name is Echinopsis eyriesii, and as you can guess by looking at the photo you have surely been able to find out that it is multiplied by suckers. And also, in a fast way.

Origin and characteristics of Echinopsis eyriesii

El Echinopsis eyriesii It is a species of cactus known as queen of the forest, ball flower, or queen's navel. It is endemic to Argentina, Paraná, and Brazil, but is currently found throughout the world.

It has cylindrical stems with a diameter of 10-15 centimeters and a height of 15-30 centimeters.. Each one of them has between 11 and 18 ribs with whitish areoles, and from the latter there are a total of 12-15 spines up to 7 millimeters long that are black.

The flowers are quite large: they are 20 to 25 centimeters long by 5 to 10 centimeters in diameter. Its petals, as we said at the beginning, are white or lilac.

How do you take care of yourself?

It is a cactus that does not require special care. Once established, the Echinopsis eyriesii it will grow apace, producing many flowers every year. But sometimes problems may arise, if for example it receives more water than it really needs, or if it is always kept in the same pot, for example.

So let's see what we have to do exactly so that our plant is well:

Location

Most cacti are sun-loving plants, and our protagonist is one of them. A) Yes, it has to be taken to a sunny area. Even if we make seedbeds with their seeds, they must be from the first day in a place exposed to the star king.

But it is important that if we have bought it in a nursery and they had it indoors or in semi-shade, as soon as we get home we don't have to put it in the sun. Doing so will only get it burned, in a matter of hours. To avoid this, you have to acclimatize it before, little by little.

Earth

• Flower pot: it is advisable to make our own substrate for cacti, mixing peat and perlite in equal parts, for example, or change the perlite for akadama or pomex. It is also possible to plant it only on the pumice (for sale No products found.), since even if it does not have nutrients, that will not harm it if we pay it regularly.
• Garden: the soil has to be loose and light. Also, it should not flood easily.

Irrigation

El Echinopsis eyriesii it is a cactus that requires little water. In summer we will water about twice a week, as the soil takes little time to dry, but in winter it will be done once a week, or every 10 days. This frequency will be even lower if there are frosts in our area and / or it rains regularly.

Likewise, if we grow it in a pot, we will not put a plate under it, since the water remains stagnant there, very close to the roots. These can rot if they are always in contact with the liquid.

Subscriber

The subscriber is always important, but more if possible if we have it in a substrate such as the pomx or the akadama. For this reason, We will pay it in spring and also in summer, using fertilizers for cacti (for sale No products found.).

You must follow the instructions for use, as it is the only way that the product is useful for the plant. If we add more quantity than indicated for example, its roots will burn; and if we miss less, the effectiveness will hardly be noticed.

Multiplication

El Echinopsis eyriesii multiplies by seeds and suckers, both in spring and summer:

• Seeds: it is highly recommended to sow them in a seedling tray, with substrate for cacti (for sale No products found.) or with a mixture of peat and perlite in equal parts. They have to be a little covered by the substrate, so that they are not very exposed to the sun. If they are viable they will germinate in about 20 days at most.
• Young: they are separated from the mother plant when they are approximately two centimeters in height with the help of a blunt knife (such as the knife to cut vegetables). Afterwards, it is taken to a dry and protected place, where it will take a week for the wound to heal. When that time passes, it is planted in a pot with a substrate that we have chosen, and watered.

Transplant

Pot should be changed every 2-3 years, during spring. The cactus is relatively small so the transplant will not always be done because it has run out of space in the pot, if not because of the substrate. This is the one that wears out, and it depends on which one we use, like akadama for example, it wears out and turns into dust.

So, what you have to do is the following:

1. First we take the plant out of the pot.
2. Then we carefully remove the dirt.
3. Next, we fill a pot with new soil.
4. Then, we place the cactus in the center, ensuring that it is at the right height (not too high or too low).
5. Finally, we finish filling and leave the plant in semi-shade for a few days to recover.

In the event that you want to plant in the ground, it will also be done in that season.

Pests

Can have mealybugs o Red spider, easy to remove with soap and water, or diatomaceous earth. Also, it must be protected from snails, as they can eat it.

Rusticity

It is a cactus that resists the cold, and also the frosts of up to -5ºC.

Do you have some Echinopsis eyriesii?