Golden Barrel Cactus Care & Information (& Update)

Sadly this beautiful, large cacti is highly endangered in its natural environment. It's weird because you see them at any store that sells cacti and in just about every yard found in desert conditions. Never harvest your own, though! These are a great potted plant pal that any serious grower/collector has in their collection, and what sets them apart is their size! Be sure to watch the entire video so you know how to how to keep yours thriving. Plant Prudently!
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#PlantPrudently #GoldenBarrel #Cactus

[@Qingeaton]

My father in law brought property in Arizona many years ago. My wife inherited it, so we took a trip out west to admire our desert 10 acres. There were few road signs, the road was often washed out so that we actually needed our jeep and when we found it, there was a bunch of worthless spiny stuff, some yucca, and about 6-7 of these barrels and that was it. I removed a small one near the base of another in a sort of beneficial thinning, and put it in a pot not much bigger than the root ball. I watered in it well and let it sit out for the rest of our stay. It did nothing for a year and I didn't water it again until I checked the weather in Arizona to see when it rains. It is making the first growth we have ever seen now, so that's what brings me here. This pampered little pooch is even set facing south, as the growth of all on the land were indicating. Over the years, I think he probably paid enough taxes and payments to have $1000 in each acre of sand there. These are the most expensive cactus types I ever owned. One grown by (nature), your parents, while they lived in another state. It is the only tangible produce from it in 30+ years

[@mmp495]

Thanks for the tips on the spider mites…no pun intended. 🌵

[@tiffanyb.7596]

Thank you I have had a barrel cactus for many years. It’s in the same pot it came in. I will be repotting it thanks to you!! Thank you very much for teaching how to care for them.🌵😊

[@johnb9561]

Hi Justin first time viewer. I have subscribes. We inherited one of these in the uk when we moved house. It looks way to big for the pot so am going to repot now thanks to your video.

[@geoffryallan7261]

I planted one of those planted in my backyard

[@witkidone]

It looked awesome offset in that half barrel pot. Plants don’t grow centered naturally so offset always gives a more natural appearance. Just add some variegated elephants food around the back and side of the GB and you’d have your self a straight up show stopper.

[@solarwinds-]

Love your Devil's Tongue. I have one that's less than 2 inches. Awe, he's cute.

[@robbo6554]

Hi Justin, that is a big one, always enjoy watching and listening to you, you are so knowledgeable, although as you say you do make mistakes from time to time. Take care.

[@TheGreenAlchemist]

Yes, as we all do! Too err is human! I sure do err! Thanks for watching and I hope you enjoyed the video. Love hearing from you! Plant Prudently! 🌺

[@zsazsafleur]

awesome video!

[@denver1865]

Excellent vid explanation of this type of cactus! Bitten a thousand times-me, too! I have something similar that has babies growing all around the bigger plant. I put it outside in summer and move indoors during winter. I live at high altitude-- not sure it would survive freeze. Thanks!! I always learn stuff from you!

[@TheGreenAlchemist]

This is no doubt one of my favorite cacti in my collection. I'm glad I thought to put him in a terracotta pot, they are perfect for them. They're porous so they help wick water away from the roots. They're heavy so you don't typically have to worry about your plant getting top-heavy. Plus cacti look damn good in terracotta too lol. I hear you on the biting too. When I moved him back he got me twice! Good call on bringing him in for the winter. Young ones can't survive a frost. Established ones that are very healthy may, but there is no guarantee and for how long. Thanks for watching and Plant Prudently!

[@TheSpiralAim]

these things just grow where I live, with little to no care. :P Love living in a desert

[@bobbiechinn9578]

I live in northern Kentucky and I amend my soil with lots of gravel to plant my cacti and succulents outside. The opuntias handle the winter just fine in that soil. But the barrel I think I would bring in for the winter.i just got my first big barrel so we'll see. Even with cacti soil u should still add about 1/4 or 1/3 perlite. Easiest guarantee to no rot. The 2nd pot is perfect. Grab it by the roots. A paint brush would be great for the soil caught btw the spines 😊 and I know this vid is old.. I probably left a comment from back then too lol stick em in the ground with mostly mounded up gravel for spring summer and fall. Bring him inside for winter then repeat. It'll get huge fast.

[@TheJosous]

i just bought one from its previous owner. it is around twice as big as yours. a monster really. had a really easy time repoting it because i used a terracotta bowl almos its size to turn it around. the it was just a matter of sliding it in its new pot. hope this helps!

[@georgiawilliams3460]

Great vid thanks! Im from Australia and like you get waaay more water then normal so this was useful. Mines about 12 inches at a guess. Have had it in the ground & its super happy but thinking of moving into a pot so it gets more sun. Again your vid was really helpful 😊😊

[@georgiawilliams3460]

Oh & my is lovingly called Bitey for obvious reasons 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@natalies753]

Interesting video thanks. You have a lot of cacti! Not used to seeing cacti much in New Zealand - think it's too cold and damp here. Those spines look scary!

[@TheGreenAlchemist]

You sure are right, those spines are scary! Kentucky is super damp though we don't get too cold much anymore. I remember having several snow days in elementary and middle school just about every year. In the past 15 years, it's changed a lot. We may get a flurry once or twice and that's sadly about it.Thanks for watching! Plant Prudently!

[@homesteadingonthehill]

Hey neighbor from Cincinnati!!!

[@Blogfranciscarobertson6405]

hi justin, I'm a new subscriber, I'm really enjoying it. Is this flute guava?

[@Nathan-ux9dg]

Mine is only about 3 inches. Good vid with lots of info.

[@TheGreenAlchemist]

Be patient. Cacti are typically slow growers. I'm a size queen so I love the big ones! It's fun to see how they've matured over the years. I always label and date mine so I know exactly how long they've been around.

[@solarwinds-]

Awe, little baby. They're fun.

[@dawnlohner8049]

I just got my first and it's teeny tiny, about an inch, what is in the spray bottle? Thanks for all the info, I hope mine gets as big as yours

[@rayewen3347]

I've had one for several years and am looking to repot it at this time. When I water it (rarely) the water seems to just go right through it. It's about 8+" with very thick spines. I live in NJ with several wild animals around, mostly deer, so putting it outside is not going to work. It's in a west window so it gets plenty of light.

[@DxrinENT]

Beautiful cacti especially the barrel one question have you grown any of these from seed?

[@mn4169]

I have one and done nothing with it, but now I wonder if I should pot him on.

[@Mari443Garrett1]

How old is that long white fuzzy one? I live in KY too and I just got into growing cactus. I got the barrel, that long fuzzy one, and another long spiny one. How long did it took to get that big?

[@TheJfunk91]

Do you have any Cacti under LED grow lights year round?

[@solarwinds-]

Mine has grown to about 7 inches now since i last chimed in but is still burning albeit I've moved him several times. Now, he's only getting morning sun, then sun till 1pm. I've moved him again where he'll only get dappled light in the morning. If that doesn't work, I guess I have to grow him in full shade, geesh! Advice?

[@anthonyhauser3467]

You know how some cacti get wobbly in their pot once the soil is dry? My Golden Barrel does this. Do yours do this as well?

[@solarwinds-]

Getting poked? Soap and water helps A LOT. It will take the sting out and the wound will heal much much quicker. So if your little ones or your pet ends up getting poked or scraped, soap and warm water works miracles. Very soothing.

[@johnb9561]

Hi Justin me again. How many hours a day do the grow light need to be on in the winter?

[@littlemouse9900]

I was wondering if an east facing window would work for one of these? As my south and north windows are 100% shade for the whole day. Or would a west facing one be better?

[@dr-ahmedibrahim9959]

U must put it into sunlight at least at winter, if u its hot like summer put it into shade place it will not grow if doesn't have a good sun light my echino groussoni cacti it's age about 20 years old it's wide 37 cm must care of it like my From Egypt

[@solarwinds-]

Mine is grape fruit sized. I made the mistake of leaving him out in the sun 1st day home from the big box store. MISTAKE. He's still thriving but scarred. Watch that afternoon sun!

[@marlenecicchetto1726]

i have a golden barrel catus and it is about 15 years old. i have transplanted it twice to a bigger pot. but was is happening is half the catus is turning brown and it looks like some kind of fugus is on the edges. my is extremely big and not as round as it use to be. I started another one , one year ago. can u help me with the one that is turning brown.

[@solarwinds-]

This can happen to anyone. Don't feel bad. Sounds like rot, sadly. Try uprooting her then cut off the brown until you get into healthy flesh. Let it callouses over, cover with cinnamon & repot. It could be that when you repotted, the soil may have been damp or you watered too soon after repotting. This is so easy to do especially with cacti. Hope I'm not responding really late. Good luck.

[@jorexinsigne4612]

How will i know if my golden barrel is doing good?

[@TheGreenAlchemist]

Generally because cacti growth is fairly slow as long as he isn't showing any cause for concern you can assume he's doing well. One of the more evident/quicker signs of decline is etiolation.

[@justmyopiniondontshoot2007]

How do I get the pups off my barrel cactus?

[@solarwinds-]

You'll need to get her out of the soil to do that. Use an old pair of jeans to wrap the legs gently around the pup and twist gently to loosen the little guy off his momma until he comes loose. Put cinnamon on the open wound of the mom and pup. Let them dry for as long as it takes until they are completely calloused over, then repot.

[@i.graciaoizz3051]

I've always loved cactus but I don't want to get them because when they have new growth, they grow weird looking and oddly shaped. Not at all symmetric from their form from when you first buy them. At least thats what I've seen with my friends and family who have a few. I just wish they would stay the same shape.

[@TheGreenAlchemist]

Sounds like what you are talking about is etiolation. This happens when a plant doesn't get the right amount of light. Cacti need to be outside in the sunlight just as soon as the danger of frost has passed. Now of course I'm talking about established plants. If you just bought one that's sat inside a store for God knows how long you'll need to acclimate them slowly. I try to keep mine outside pretty much until the end of August and just monitor the rain. Unfortunately, most people get them and sit them on any window seal thinking they'll be just fine. Remember cacti need light! Etiolation can't be cured but it can be corrected if caught in time. However, it will still be evident in the cactus.

[@deebeespam6152]

Mine is not as vibrant green but light brown at the bottom, it's been outside for a number of years. I'm not sure whether it is unhealthy!

[@TheGreenAlchemist]

I believe you're talking about corking? For the most part, it is a natural process that happens with age. Ultimately it happens around the base as a way to strengthen the cactus and keep it from breaking. If you could get a closer look at mine you'd see the same situation.

[@deebeespam6152]

Thank you! Yes I think that's it. The brown bits are not squishy, no visible pests, pretty healthy overall, just not very green all around

[@solarwinds-]

@@deebeespam6152 Yes, Grusoniis are not dark green. Mie is almost chartreuse green color but very healthy.

[@ilovenature5164]

😀👍

[@moonflower6592]

I know this may sound stupid but why would you buy a cactus of you are afraid of the spines?

[@solarwinds-]

Not stupid, good question. Us cacti lovers like to live dangerously. ha ha

[@meadowmorph3291]

Try a chopstick to tamp down and searching out deadly air pockets. Bonsai owners do this. You'd be surprised how much more soil you use as the air pockets fill in.

[@meatyboy8811]

I'm pretty sure some of them cactuses are edible!

[@superspecialty5169]

What makes it a “he”? Why do you “ah” so prolifically?

[@hieytsfiona]

You better watch your mouth pal

[@superspecialty5169]

Ahh……………………………………………………….

[@edgarmiranda2479]

Weakest presentor