Cactus and Succulents: Ferocactus chrysacanthus

Origin and Habitat: Mexico (Baja California: Only occurs naturally on the island of Cedros, off the west coast of northern Baja California and possibly on a neighboring island, West San Benitos, with some reports of it on the adjacent peninsula.)
Habitat: with a balanced and relatively high average temperature, low rainfall but relatively high humidity and specific soil composition (these conditions are difficult to imitate in cultivation, and make this species relatively problematic to grow.

Description: Ferocactus chrysacanthus is a small sized solitary or rarely cespitose barrel cactus with up to 6 heads. The plant is very densely spined (one of the spiniest of the Ferocacti) and because of that, will tolerate full sun.
Stem: Usually simple, globose to cylindrical, dull greyish green.
up to 30(-40) cm in diameter, 90(-100) cm tall.
Ribs: 13 to 22 , tubercled.
Central spines: 4 to 10 all thick up to 10,5 cm long, twisted and more or less hooked golden yellow (it sometimes occurs with red spines)
Radial spines: 4 to 12 ( or more) up to 5 cm long, slender and white.
Flowers: Near the center of the plant, typically yellow or brownish yellow, but also orange, 2,5 cm long, 4,5-5 cm in diameter when fully open. The inside petals are yellow or orange, the outside ones are brownish. Scale naked on the axil, closed set and imbricated, the lower one rounded ang green, the upper ones more oval brownish, the margin some time ragged. Outer perianth-segments stiff. Pinkish-brown, inner perianth-segments 2 cm long, yellow with reddish-mid-stripesand toothed margin.
Blooming season: Summer.
Fruits: Yellow 3 cm long.
Seeds: Up to 2,5 mm wide, net-patterned and black.

Cultivation and Propagation: Use very draining soil, water during the aestival growth cycle (this plant need plenty of water) But it's necessary to avoid wetting the bodies of these plants while they are in sunlight. A wet cactus in the sunlight can cause sun burning which can lead to scars or even fungal infections and death. Needs full sun. Keep dry at 50°F (10°C) in winter, but it can tolerate sporadic light frost.

Propagation: Seeds are the only way of reproducing. The seeds germinate readily.
Remarks: It is often recommended to graft young seedlings on Eriocereus jusbertii. But plants can grow on their own roots for ages if watered carefully.