Melocactus Species, Matanzas Meloncactus, Melon Cactus, Dwarf Turk's Cap Cactus

Melocactusmatanzanus

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Melocactus (mel-oh-KAK-tus)
Synonym
Melocactus actinacanthus
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
6-12 in. (15-30 cm)
Spacing
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Pink
Magenta (pink-purple)
Bloom Time
Other Details
Category
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Phoenix, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Mission Viejo, California

Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Tampa, Florida

Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes

Austin, Texas

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Gardener's Notes:

0
positive
2
neutrals
0
negative
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C
(Zone 10b) | October 2005 | neutral

Melocactus Matanzanus is the smallest,which come from Cuba and is very pretty.It makes its cephalium in 4 to 5 years.

P
Acton, CA (Zone 8b) | July 2004 | neutral

smaller green Cuban species- matures quickly at about 4" in diameter, so if you want a relatively cheap melocactus with a cephalium alrea...Read More

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