My first Sclerocactus

[SpikyMike]

Happy to have received my first of this genus. Sclerocactus unguinatus. Very friendly plant as I potted her up - she kept grabbing me with her long spines and didn’t want to let go. I spy two flower buds. Let’s see how she progresses!

[juster]

Nice plant Mike, but I can see that potting might be a problem!

[Diane]

I think that should be Sclerocactus uncinatus, which used to be known as Glandulicactus uncinatus, so not quite as difficult as "true" Sclerocacti. It's a real pain to repot, and beware of it hooking up to neighbour plants! Nice dark flowers though.

[KarlR]

Very nice plant, and they have quite pretty flowers.

Molecular studies show that Sclerocactus s.l. (or according to Hunt) is paraphyletic, and Glandulicactus should probably be used for this species. But a rose by any other name and all that

[RAYWOODBRIDGE]

It is uncinatus for sure, but Glandulicactus under the latest chemical and genetic studies clearly have no relationship with Sclerocactus, which could explain what Diane said about them being easier to go, the latest thinking is they could just be fancy Ferocactus or should that be Leuchtenbergia.


Sorry Karl only just seen your post

[SpikyMike]

Oh dear! Lol. I’m deflated. I thought I had a Sclerocactus - but it seems it’s an imposter and is actually an Glandulicactus!

Oh well. It’s my only one of those too.

I’ll have to see if I get any joy with germinating my Sclerocactus mesai-verdae. Once I’ve worked out how to chit them!

(And yes - I mis-typed. Definitely uncinatus)

[ragamala]

I’ll have to see if I get any joy with germinating my Sclerocactus mesai-verdae. Once I’ve worked out how to chit them!

The good news is I have successfully germinated mesae-verdae. Without chitting etc.

The bad news I find it hard to believe it is a true Sclerocactus. Certainly from my germination records it is on a path of its own - I have little or no success in germinating "true" Sclerocactus seed - with or without treatment.

[KarlR]

No worries, Ray!

I think so far the molecular studies suggest that Ferocactus as currently understood is not monophyletic and will probably have to be split. Leuchtenbergia being an older name may then have to be the new home for one group (although I hope not - won't feel right to call anything but principis for Leuchrenbergia ). There is also the unresolved relationship between the group Echinocactus platyacanthus, Echinocactus/Kroenleinia grusonii, Ferocactus histrix and probably a few others.

Then there is an unclear relationship between Ferocactus, Stenocactus and Thelocactus. And an unclear relationship between these and Hamatocactus, Glandulicactus and so on. I think it will be quite a mammoth task to unravel it all.

[iann]

Glandulicactus is still a rewarding plant, if you like spines! And not difficult to grow, although it is not a B&Q special and needs some care over drainage.

Flowers are interesting rather than spectacular, although they are quite large. Mine tend to flower alternate years, which might mean I've not quite nailed the growing season yet. They flower early and grow later. They also produce an annoying amount of sap from extrafloral nectaries.

This is var wrightii from Texas. Particularly spiny, although some var uncinatus from further south have flowers that are more brown.

[Aiko]

I assume you keep yours unprotected from the cold in the greenhouse all winter?