Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Cactaceae

Genus:

Sclerocactus

Species:

Sclerocactus whipplei

USDA Symbol:

SCWH

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Shrub

Height:

15 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

pink, magenta, white, yellow

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

small mammals

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

gritty, well-drained, rocky soil

pH:

6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

native to arid desert regions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–90 days

Germination Time:

14–60 days

Notes:

Seeds require light for germination. Cold stratification improves germination rates significantly.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI