The Claret Cup Cactus Southwest Garden. (Echinocereus triglochidiatus)is in the hedgehog family of cactus. Best used in the Xeriscaping landscape. It is also called the Kingcup Cactus, Mojave Cactus, and the Hedgehog Cactus.
They produce these bright orange blooms mainly in late spring or early summer throughout the Southwest.
It is found in southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and West Texas.
It also produces spines that are deciduous meaning most of these spines will fall off and regrow new ones in early spring.
Is it succulent?
Like most cactus, It is considered a succulent shrub and one of the easiest cactuses to grow. The flowers get pollinated by bees, hummingbirds, and other types of flying insects.
Where to plant the Claret Cup Cactus
It needs full hot sun… the more sun during the day the better. A good idea is to plant several in a row for a burst of color when they bloom. Normally from mid-spring until mid-summer. The colorful blooms will last about 3-4 weeks then it’s basically green year-round. The best thing about this cactus is that it is easy to grow and hardy in colder regions.
It is also a good plant to use inside a Southwest Desert-type courtyard. They love the reflected heat that is generated from the adobe or brick walls.
Problems with this Cactus
The biggest concern is Mealybugs. These insects (cochineal bugs) are soft body insects that have a white waxy filament that looks a lot like cotton. They should be treated quickly as they will devour your plant. Mealybugs love all types of cactus, agave, and other desert-type plants.
Use a good systemic insecticide to remove. Also, spraying with insecticides will work however it will take several applications to kill these pests. Another good way to remove Mealybugs is to spray them with a strong stream of water. The force of the water will knock them off.
The Claret Cup Cactus – Southwest Garden
Here is some in-depth reading on this type of Cactus.
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| Common Name | Scientific Name | USDA Zone | Water Usage | Flower | Height - Width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claret Cup Cactus | Echinocereus triglochidiatus | 8-10 | Low | Bright Red Orange | 5" - 7" |
