PLANT PROFILE & SALVAGING INFORMATION

Echinocereus pectinatus - Arizona Rainbow

Type: cactus; evergreen
Salvaged from locations: Hwy 90
Salvage method: bare root
Size: 1' H x 3" W
Water Usage: rainfall
Hardiness: 5 degrees F
Exposure: Filtered sun to shade
Flower color: magenta, flowers on old growth
Flower season: late-spring
Wildlife value: fruits, seeds, nectar

 


Echinocereus pectinatus - Arizona Rainbow
in PSC holding bed

 

Arizona Rainbow Fun Facts!

    - fuzzy dots on sides indicate old bloom sites
    - red bands on plants give a "rainbow effect" thus the common name
    - plant has no central spine - okay to touch 
    - survival strategies are similar to monopodial succulents, but the increase in surface area in proportion to volume increases photosynthesis potential therefore plants have a higher metabolic rate and more active growth
    - plants have juicy fruits with a high sugar content and are loved by desert animals therefore it has a wide dispersal potential

 

Echinocereus fendleri - Fendler's Hedgehog

Type: cactus; evergreen
Salvaged from locations: Hwy 90; Avenida Cochise
Salvage method: bare root
Size: 10" H x 3" W
Water Usage: rainfall
Hardiness: 0 degrees F
Exposure: Filtered sun to shade
Flower color: magenta, flowers on old growth, large 3 inch flowers 
Flower season: spring
Wildlife value: fruits, seeds, nectar


Echinocereus fendleri - Fendler's Hedgehog
in PSC holding bed

 

Fendler's Hedgehog Fun Facts!

    - can form large clumps (clustering stem succulent)
    - stem rosette often forms from clustering and will intercept dew, rain, and drizzle and conduct it to the central point under the plant
    - fruits are 1 - 1 1/2 inch long and are covered with spines
    - reaches flowering about 5 years from seed
    - found growing in sandy, gravely, slopes or plains of the desert grasslands
    - other common names include Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus; Torch Cactus 
    - survival strategies are similar to monopodial succulents, but the increase in surface area in proportion to volume increases photosynthesis potential therefore plants have a higher metabolic rate and more active growth
    - plants have juicy fruits with a high sugar content and are loved by desert animals therefore it has a wide dispersal potential

 

The following are notes by the Plant Sciences Center Horticultural Technician on the salvage, care, and planting for Echinocereus pectinatus - Arizona Rainbow and Echinocereus fendleri - Fendler's Hedgehog.

Salvage Method:

    - bare root
  
Temporary Holding Method: 

    - roots were trimmed and laid out under shade for a few days to callus over cuts then planted into holding beds
   - holding beds and potting soil consisted of 10% native soil; 45% washed sand; 45% compost
    - planted under 30% shade cloth - received afternoon sun; after six months plants were transplanted into 6inch and 1 gallon pots and moved to all day filtered shade

Pests & Diseases:

    - no signs of pests or diseases

Watering Schedule:

    - no irrigation except rainfall for holding beds
    - potted plants received irrigation 1x per week
   
Misc. Notes:

    - began rooting out in July (warm weather)
    - birds and small mammals relished the fruits often pulling the plants out of the beds!
    - Echinocereus fendleri - Fendler's Hedgehog is a very hardy plant can withstand direct sun more than the other small cacti
    - Echinocereus pectinatus - Arizona Rainbow is fickle and the PSC experienced high mortality rates.  Plants seem to adjust to salvaging best if planted directed into 1 gallon containers instead of holding beds.