Origin and Habitat: Mexico Northeast (Zacatecas).
Type locality: 0,3 km from El Cobre, near Mazapil, 2750 metres above sea level.
Habitat: Occurs at high altitudes in pine forests (2750-3050 metres).
Synonyms:
See all synonyms of Echinocereus parkeri
Subspecies, varieties, forms and cultivars of plants belonging to the Echinocereus parkeri group
Echinocereus parkeri N.P.Taylor: Subsp. parkeri forms crowded mounds with stems distinctly tapering toward the apex, has 7-10 deeply tuberculate ribs and 10-13 radial spines. Distribution: Endemic to Nuevo Leon.- Echinocereus parkeri subs. arteagensis W.Blum & Mich.Lange in W.Blum et al.: has more numerous spines (14-18 radial and 5-8 centrals) Distribution: Arteaga Canyon on the Coahuila-Nuevo Leon border.
- Echinocereus parkeri subs. gonzalezii (N.P.Taylor) N.P.Taylor: forms more open mounds. Stems less tapped with 6-10 barely tuberculate ribs, and 10-14 radial spines and 3-5 centrals. Distribution: Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, and San Luis Potosi.
- Echinocereus parkeri subs. mazapilensis W.Blum & Mich.Lange in W.Blum et al.: has less numerous spines (6-9 radials and 1-4 centrals) and different seed conformation. Distribution: occurs at high altitude in pine forests near Mazapil, Zacatecas.
Bibliography: Major references and further lectures
1) Edward Anderson “The Cactus family” Timber Press, Incorporated, 2001
2) Nathaniel Lord Britton, Joseph Nelson Rose “Cactaceae: Descriptions and Illustrations of Plants of the Cactus Family” vol. 4 The Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washington 1923
3) James Cullen, Sabina G. Knees, H. Suzanne Cubey "The European Garden Flora Flowering Plants: A Manual for the Identification of Plants Cultivated in Europe, Both Out-of-Doors and Under Glass" Cambridge University Press, 11/Aug/2011
4) David R Hunt; Nigel P Taylor; Graham Charles; International Cactaceae Systematics Group. "The New Cactus Lexicon" dh books, 2006
5) N. P. Taylor: “Supplementary notes on Mexican Echinocereus Echinocereus parkeri” in "Bradleya: Yearbook of the British Cactus and Succulent Society", The Society, volume 6, pages 73–74. 1988.
6) Fitz Maurice, B, Fitz Maurice, W.A., Hernández, H.M. & Sotomayor, M. 2013. Echinocereus parkeri. In: IUCN 2013. "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species." Version 2013.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 22 October 2013.
Cultivation and Propagation: It is a summer-growing species of relatively easy cultivation. It is adapted to dry soils and is quite susceptible to over-watering if kept in a non ventilated place.
Growth rate: Slow-growing.
Soil: Grow it in an open mineral, sandy-gritty cactus compost and provide a very good drainage.
Exposure: It is suited for sunny-brightly exposure, but can tolerate light shade. However it will do its best only with lots of sun and become stressed with inadequate light which could result in poor growth and unnatural shape. It has a good heat tolerance.
Watering: Water sparingly and keep it completely dry during winter. Mature individuals easily rot and die especially after transplanting so be extremely cautious with watering. Keep dry in winter or when night temperatures remain below 10° C. Water it less than average if in bigger pots.
Fertilization: Feed them once during the growing season with a fertilizer specifically formulated for cactus and succulents (high potash fertilizer with a dilute low nitrogen), including all micro nutrients and trace elements diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They thrive in poor soils and need a limited supplies of fertilizer to avoid the plants developing excess vegetation, which is easily attacked by fungal diseases.
Special need: It is suited for airy exposures. Provide very good ventilation. Nearly all problems occur as a result of overwatering and poor ventilation, especially when weather conditions are dull and cool or very humid. They must have very dry atmosphere.
Hardiness: It likes warmth (recommended minimum winter temperature 5° C) But plants kept perfectly dry can easily survive to frequent moderate frost, above approx -7° C.
Pests & diseases: These cacti may be attractive to a variety of insects, but plants in good condition should be nearly pest-free, particularly if they are grown in a mineral potting-mix, with good exposure and ventilation. Nonetheless, there are several pests to watch for:
- Red spiders: Red spiders may be effectively rubbed up by misting the plants from above.
- Mealy bugs: Mealy bugs occasionally develop aerial into the new leaves and flowers with disfiguring results, but the worst types develop underground on the roots and are invisible except by their effects.
- Scales, thrips and aphids: These insects are rarely a problem.
- Rot: Rot is only a minor problem if the plants are watered and “aired” correctly. If they are not, fungicides won't help all that much.
Propagation: Seed or cuttings. The seeds can be sown in pots of fine, well-drained sandy soil, any time during the spring when temperatures are warm. Cover the seeds with a fine layer of grit and water from below with a fungicide to prevent damping off. For the 1-2 weeks cover the pots with a sheet of glass/clear perspex to keep the humidity levels high. Remove the glass and replace it with light shade-cloth and mist once or twice a day for the next two weeks after which most seeds should have germinated. From then on mistings can be reduced to every second and then every third day as the little plants grow. The seedlings should not be disturbed until they are well rooted after which they can be planted separately in small pots. Sometimes it is grafted to avoid root rot problems as plants grafted on an hardy stock are easy to grow and no special skill is required.
