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Sclerocactus
Also called Fishhook Cactuses, Pineapple Cacti, Pineapple Cactuses
Sclerocactus ("hard cactus", from Greek; refers to the hard, dry fruit) is a genus of cacti. It comprises about 15 species, the exact number depending on the authority. These species are xerophytic. They are sometimes called 'fishhook cactus' or 'little barrels.'
Sclerocactus are easy to cultivate . They are generally a cold-adapted genus. They grow in very arid areas which are subjected to deep cold in spots where water flows irregularly or depressions where water can accumulate for short period of time. They are most often found growing along washes and arroyos where their seeds have been subjected to scarification due to water movement, but they oddly also tend to grow along ridges in spots where depressions have formed and can hold water for some period of time.
They undergo most of their growth in spring and benefit from moderate fertilizer in cultivation. They prefer mineral-rich, sandy soils. They are tolerant of overwatering provided they are grown in small pots that drain and dry out quickly. They do best out of doors do well in full sun. They are not particularly attractive plants and their vicious hooked spines are a hazard, making them poor houseplants.
Fishhook Cactuses · Shorthook fishhook cactus · Pariette cactus · Sclerocactus johnsonii subsp. erectocentrus · Uinta Basin hookless cactus · Johnson's Barrel Cactus · Golfball Cactus · Mesa Verde fishhook cactus · Paperspine fishhook cactus · Redspined fishhook cactus · Great Basin fishhook cactus · Siler's pincushion cactus
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Sclerocactus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
