Seeds Cactus Devil's Tongue (Ferocactus latispinus)

40 seeds

Interesting facts: The distinctive feature of this globular cactus is its beautiful, prominent and strikingly coloured spines, which provide its main ornamental appeal. Due to their shape, resembling a hard, long and narrow tongue, the cactus is commonly known as the Devil’s Tongue. Botanists also refer to it as a Barrel Cactus.

Origin: The cactus is native to the southern United States and the mountainous regions of Mexico.

Growing from seed: Seeds can be sown indoors throughout the year. Mix finely sieved seed compost with approximately 25% fine sand, preferably quartz sand. The growing medium should not be too coarse, otherwise the seeds may fall through. Moisten the mixture using a spray bottle and scatter the fine seeds over the surface. As all cacti are light germinators, the seeds must not be covered with soil. They require sufficient warmth (16–25°C) and high humidity. Cover the seed tray with cling film or a glass pane and ventilate for approximately 2 hours every 2–3 days.

Light/Position: Prefers a warm, bright to sunny location. A south-facing windowsill is ideal. Growing outdoors is not recommended in our climate.

Watering and feeding: Only water once the growing medium has completely dried out. Young plants should be kept slightly more moist. Rainwater or demineralised water is recommended. Always remove excess water to prevent waterlogging and root rot. From April to September, feed every 3 weeks with a liquid cactus fertiliser.

Tip: If kept in a warm location, you can mist the plant from above once every two weeks.

Winter care: During winter, the cactus prefers a cool location with temperatures of around 10–12°C. Keep the growing medium almost completely dry during this period.