Family: Cactaceae
Common name: Golden barrel cactus, Golden barrel, Golden ball, Golden ball cactus, Mother-in-law’s cushion, Mother-in-law’s chair
Golden Barrel Cactus is a very good looking, popular, and iconic species of Cactus that are almost extinct in the wild. But they are easily grown in parks, rock gardens, and glass rooms where the temperature and watering can be kept under control.
Plant characteristics
As the name says, the Golden barrel cactus forms beautifully rounded barrels or drums, growing in clusters with many plants sprouting from the parent plant.
Their spreading fibrous roots help them absorb all the water in the ground from light rains or dew. Plants can reach a height of 90 centimeters to 1 meters when mature, but this might take many years.
The rounded stems are covered with beautiful symmetrical ribs covered with of yellow-brown spines, each plant having 20-35 ribs. Central part of the stem called areole is large, flat, yellowish, and covered densely with spines that are 1-2 cm long. In younger plants, the areoles may be covered with wooly hairs which later become spines.
Golden barrel cacti can grow quickly in the initial years, but it will take 10-15 years to reach full size, and the life span is 25-30 years. The parent plant can produce numerous small plants around it, making them nearly everlasting. Talk about plants that you can pass on to future generations:)
These plants flower in late spring or early summer with puffy yellow flowers that appear on top of the crown. The flowers are 3-5 cm in diameter and last for 2-3 days. They are pollinated by insects, bees, and even bats.
Once pollinated, the Golden barrel cacti flowers produce greenish-yellow fruits that contain numerous small, black seeds. These fruits are edible and are often consumed as a source of water.
Cacti do not have leaves, and photosynthesis is done by the green stem. Sturdy spines which are modified leaves, protect the stem and prevent water loss since they grow in harsh, dry environment.
Gardening Tips
As with any cacti, the Golden barrel cacti need good sunlight and well-drained soil. It’s preferable to plant them on hilly slopes so that the water will drain out immediately.
The soil has to be completely dry before the plant is watered. An ideal plant for the amateur or forgetful gardener, these plants can be ignored or forgotten for long periods of time with little consequence. They do not like frost, and so it makes sense to to move them indoors or into glass houses in winter.
Conservation efforts are critical for the Golden Barrel Cacti since they are almost extinct in their natural environment due to urbanization, overcollection, and lack of care.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, or by replanting the offsets that grow from parent plants. Seed propagation takes time and care before the seedlings take root and reach a decent size.
Photographed at: KEW gardens, London
