Echinopsis tubiflora, sometimes called the grass bulb, is a species of Echinopsis native to Argentina. When properly cared for, an Echinopsis tubiflora cactus can grow approximately 12 to 30 inches (30 to 75 cm) tall, with 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) blooming flowers. So, how do you grow and care for Echinopsis tubiflora?
Care for Echinopsis tubiflora by providing adequate sunlight and watering it sparingly. Echinopsis tubiflora cacti are drought tolerant and do not need to be watered regularly. This photophilic plant needs direct sunlight to grow and bloom sufficiently.
In this article, I will guide you through how to care for and grow an Echinopsis tubiflora cactus. I will also share pests and viruses to look out for and what to do to save your cactus from these things.
1. Plant the Echinopsis tubiflora In the Spring
Spring is the best time to plant Echinopsis tubiflora when temperatures fall between 59 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15 and 20 degrees Celsius). Its growth period is during the summer months. To successfully plant an Echinopsis tubiflora cactus, a few standard practices exist.
Choosing the Right Planting Pot
Choosing a proper pot is vital when growing a cactus. There are two things to consider when deciding what planter pot to use.
Choose a Well Draining Pot
When choosing what pot to plant your Echinopsis tubiflora cactus in, it’s important to pick one that is well-draining. Water can become trapped and waterlog the soil if the planter doesn’t drain well. This can be fatal to your cactus due to the growth of bacteria.
Ensure the Pot Isn’t Too Big
The planter pot should be the right size for the cactus. A good rule of thumb when considering what size is appropriate is only an inch (2.54 cm) and a half of space should be present from the base of the cactus to the rim of the pot all the way around.
If the pot is too large, it can result in the roots continue growing instead of the cactus itself growing. It can also store water in the soil for long periods, which is bad for the roots of the Echinopsis tubiflora cactus.
Choose the Right Soil
The soil plays a big part in how well the cactus grows. The best soil for planting Echinopsis tubiflora is a quick-draining cactus soil mix such as Harris Premium Succulent and Cactus Potting Soil Mix (found on Amazon.com). It is quick-draining and adds nutrients to the mixture to help your cacti thrive.
It also helps to add a layer of pebbles to the bottom of the pot. The pebbles are there to loosen the soil, allowing proper aeration. This will aid in draining water quickly, so the soil doesn’t become contaminated, and your cactus remains healthy and growing as it should.
2. Water Your Echinopsis tubiflora Sparingly
Echinopsis tubiflora cacti need little water to thrive. During the summer months, when the temperatures are highest, you should water your Echinopsis tubiflora cactus one to two times per week when the soil is completely dry. This is the peak growing season when the Echinopsis tubiflora is most active with growing and blooming, so it will require being watered more often.
During spring and fall, watering once a week is likely plenty. If you notice, however, the soil has gone completely dry, go ahead and give it a second watering.
In winter, the Echinopsis cactus goes dormant and does not need to be watered as often. The cooler temperatures prevent the soil from drying out as quickly, so watering it every four to six weeks will deter issues with over-watering.
3. Use Liquid Fertilizer To Fertilize Once a Month
Fertilizer gives your plant the nutrients it needs to thrive during its growing period. This will also help it flower throughout its growing season. Use liquid fertilizer once a month and follow instructions as directed on the bottle.
During the dormant period, when the cactus needs to rest, discontinue fertilizer use. Echinopsis tubiflora won’t need it during this time. You can resume fertilizing your cactus around mid-spring.
An excellent fertilizer for Echinopsis Cacti is Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food (found on Amazon.com). This fertilizer will instantly feed your cactus and gives you the option to add it to water and apply it directly to the soil.
Adding fertilizer to water when fertilizing prevents your cactus from being burned.
4. Place in Direct Sunlight
As previously stated, Echinopsis tubiflora is photophilic and needs adequate sunlight to grow. It is best to place your cactus outdoors, allowing it to adjust to direct sunlight slowly to avoid burning.
However, during the summer, when the temperatures are high, it is best to place in indirect sunlight from time to time to avoid damage to your cactus. The blazing sun can sunburn an Echinopsis tubiflora.
5. Propagate During the Growing Season
When you begin noticing offsets, or pups, forming on the Echinopsis tubiflora, you will need to remove them and plant them in a separate pot. This should be done during the growing season. Spring up until the beginning of fall is an ideal time to do this.
To propagate, you need to pull the offsets from the Echinopsis cactus by holding it between your thumb and first finger with a gloved hand and gently twisting until it releases.
Allow the offset to dry entirely before replanting it in its own pot. This could take about 24 hours. Once it’s dry, add it to a secondary pot filled with the same potting mix as the Echinopsis it was initially removed from.
To do this, carve out a small hole to place the offset in and give it a little twist in the soil. Then secure it by pushing the loose soil snuggly up to its base.
Spray it two to three times with water and set it aside in a shaded area for a week. Once the week is over, and the soil is dry, you may begin to water it as usual.
6. Watch for Root Rot
The most common viruses found in Echinopsis tubiflora are bacterial and fungal diseases. This is often due to overwatering.
Root rot is commonly found with overwatering and will cause the yellowing of your cactus. If you notice this, dig up the cactus to check its roots. You will see the roots beginning to rot and become dark and mushy. To save the Echinopsis, remove the rotted roots and replant your cactus in a fresh pot of soil.
It’s important to know what to look for with root rot. If you catch it early enough, your Echinopsis tubiflora cactus can be saved.
7. Beware of Pests
Insect pests can damage your cactus and cause it to weaken and die if not caught and treated quickly. It is essential to separate an infected cactus away from other plants until you can remove the pests and treat it.
Once treated, keep the cactus out of sunlight for a few days to prevent burning. Some insect pests are more common than others when it comes to Echinopsis tubiflora.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small pests that are white and look fluffy. These pests reproduce quickly and suck the juices from the cactus, weakening it.
To treat, remove the mealybugs using a high-pressure spray or a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. The “fluff” on the bugs acts as a barrier, so if you cannot spray them off, they should come right off with alcohol-soaked cotton swabs. Once they are removed, use pesticides.
Scale
Scale Bug females also have a white coating like mealy bugs, while the males can be brown or yellow. They suck the juices from cacti and damage them.
They move in colonies at a very slow pace and multiply quickly. And, also like mealy bugs, you can remove them by spraying them with high-pressure water and cotton swabs soaked in alcohol. You can also remove them with tweezers.
In the future, try using an insecticide once the dormant period ends to prevent scale bugs from returning.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny and can be yellowish-green or red. They attack your cactus by sucking its juices and killing it. If your cactus has been infected with spider mites, you will see small rusty brown-colored spots and webbing in the areas they attacked.
To treat your cactus, use a pesticide that specifically says it targets mites because not all pesticides do.
Final Thoughts
Echinopsis tubiflora is a beautiful cactus that is easily cared for. With the minimal effort of doing the basic necessities of watering and sunlight, it can grow healthy and bloom several times throughout the growing period.
For the best results, be sure not to overwater, especially during the winter when the Echinopsis tubiflora is dormant. Allowing your cactus to rest during winter will help it thrive in the summer months during its peak growing season.