Ive had a go at all of them in the past from seed, strausianus id say was the easiest with highest germination and least losses.
megliolii and bulbocalyx ,i lost them all in the end.
villicumensis i havent sown.
Like you pointed out they dont like disturbing.
andreaeana ? I have 2 of these, looking good, small, slow growing, but both flowering every year
Pyrrhocactus megliolii is an attractive thing, isn't it? My brain played tricks on me and I read it as Pterocactus megliolii instead. Oh well, I suppose the plant is just about the right colour...
The spines on the last one are terrific, too. Thanks Dave.
Wonderful spination on those Pyrrhocactus, particularly megliolii and bulbocalyx. You have given the reason for the name Pyrrhocactus, due to the flame-like flower. Looking at the photos, it looks as though the ground around the plants has been burning. Is this another reason they are called Pyrrhocactus? They grow in areas of fire?
Obsessive Crassulaceae lover, especially Aeoniums but also grow, Aloes, Agaves, Haworthias and a select number of Cacti.
No Liz, the reference to flames was because the original author of the name thought those red striped yellow flowers looked like little flames. If you look at the outside sepals of the first illustration of P. straussianus you can see what they meant.
I don't think the ground has actually been burnt off it, is just sun scorched dry vegetation.
DaveW
Nottingham Branch BCSS. Joined the then NCSS in 1961, Membership number 11944. Cactus only collection.
