Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Burts’ (Syn. x Echinobivia ‘Rainbow Bursts’) on 7-19-16, #274-48.
NO LONGER AN x Echinobivia
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’
ek-in-OP-sis
SYN.
x Echinobivia ‘Rainbow Bursts’
Echinopsis Zucc. is the accepted scientific name for the genus. It was named and described as such by Joseph Gerhard Zuccarini in Abhandlungen der Mathematisch (short version) in 1837.
Now a synonym, x Echinobiva G.D.Rowley, was named and described as such by Gordon Douglas Rowley in the Cactus and Succulent Journal in 1966.
As of 12-5-22 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 20 species in the Echinopsis genus. There were 71 on the last update. It is a member of the plant family Cactaceae with 150 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.
THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ on 5-31-17, #339-30.
I bought this Echinobivia ‘Rainbow Bursts’ from Walmart on 2-1-16. The label said: ”Rainbow Bursts are so named for their spectacular display of colorful flowers during the spring and summer. These hybrids are cross (combined genetics) of Echinopsis species and Lobivia species, hence the name Echinobivia. Protect from frost.” The plant was growing in a 2 1/2” (4 oz.) pot. It measured approximately 2 1/4” tall x 3 1/2” wide.
Information online says Echinobivia ‘Rainbow Bursts’ can be white, yellow, gold, orange, pink, red, purple, and sometimes bicolor.
The genus Lobivia Britton & Rose WAS an accepted scientific name for this genus of cacti. It was named and described by Nathaniel Lord Britton and Joseph Nelson Rose in The Cactaceae in 1922. Most of the species formerly in the Lobivia genus are now in the Echinopsis genus and some were transferred to other genera. Many of those other genera were later transferred to Echinopsis.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Burts’ (Syn. x Echinobivia ‘Rainbow Bursts’) on 9-5-17, #371-10.
While most of the Lobivia species and infraspecific names have been moved to the Echinopsis genus, a few were transferred to the Rebutia and Acanthocalycium genera. Currently, Plants of the World Online lists 20 species of Echinopsis (down from 71 on the last update), 19 species of Rebutia (down from 29), and 4 species of Acanthocalycium (down from 5). Likely, the missing species have become synonyms.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ (Syn. x Echinobivia ‘Rainbow Bursts’) on 10-11-17, #382-26.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ (Syn. x Echinobivia ‘Rainbow Bursts’) at 2 3/8″ tall x 4″ wide on 10-17-17, #384-5.
I moved the plants inside for the winter on October 17 (2017). The first stop was the basement where they were all photographed and measured. This plant was 2 3/8″ tall x 4″ wide. It didn’t grow much because it was 2 1/4″ tall x 3 1/2″ wide when I brought it home in July 2016.
All those kids can be removed and rooted or they can be left attached. I am opting to leave them attached because I certainly don’t need that many Echinopsis plants and how long would it take them to grow? I guess that calls for an experiment.
Top view of the Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ (Syn. x Echinobivia ‘Rainbow Bursts’) on 10-17-17, #384-6.
How would you like to sit on that? The top view of most cactus is just as interesting as the side view.
<<<<2018>>>>
Echinopsis sp. (Syn. xEchinobivia cv. ‘Rainbow Bursts’) on 1-1-18, #401-4.
I put the Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ on a table with most of the cactus and succulents in my bedroom for the winter. They received plenty of light from a south-facing window.
Echinopsis cv. ‘Rainbow Bursts’ on 5-17-18, #443-31.
The Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ was happy to get outside for the summer again.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ in a new pot, 5-25-18, #448-8.
I decided to put this plant and all its kids in a larger pot. It was beginning to bulge. Even though you are supposed to only increase the pot size by 1/2 to 1″ in diameter, I gave this cactus a bigger pot in case the babies fall off and need room to root.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ on 7-29-18, #487-39.
I moved the potted plants to the front and back porches on July 4 (2018) because of a Japanese Beetle invasion. The plant tables were next to and behind a shed under a Chinese Elm tree which the beetles love. The beetles were beginning to sample a few of the other plants so I moved them. I moved most of the cactus to the back porch including the Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’. You can see the dead leaves from the elm tree in the pot.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ on 8-26-18, #499-19.
Doing well in full sun on the back porch on August 26.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ on 10-10-18, #519-30.
I measured the cactus on October 10 when I was getting ready to move the plants inside for the winter. The cluster of Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ now measures 3″ tall x 5″ wide. It didn’t grow that much from the time I brought it home in July 2016 until I measured it last October. This time, however, it grew 3/4″ in taller and 1 3/4″ wider.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ on 11-29-18, #534-10.
We had a couple of nice spring-like days in the last part of November, so I decided to take the cactus outside for a photoshoot for a new post. The post was for comparing the difference between the cactus I have in my collection. The post is titled Cactus Talk and Update…OUCH! and there is a lot of information.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ close-up of the original plant on 12-1-18, #535-8.
Here you see the parent Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ has very small spines and a little wool on the areoles. The hair you see in the photo is cat fur…
Close-up of the Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ offsets on 12-1-18, #535-9.
The offsets have more and longer spines in relation to their size than the original plant. The offsets grow between the areoles.
<<<<2019>>>>
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ on 6-22-19, #593-11.
The Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ is enjoying another summer on the back porch. The offsets keep getting bigger.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ at 3 3/8″ tall x 6″ wide on 10-11-19, #639-22.
I had to move the potted plants inside on 10-11-19 because an “F” and lower evening temperatures were in the forecast. I don’t keep them outside if evening temps are going to fall below 40° F. As always, I photographed the plants before moving them inside and took measurements. The Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ measured 3 3/8″ tall x 6″ wide. That’s pretty good considering it was 2 1/4″ tall x 3 1/2″ wide when I brought it home in February 2016. The offsets continue to do well and grow, too.
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ in its new pot on 11-13-19, #649-7.
I repotted several cactus and succulents after I moved them inside for the winter so their soil would be nice and loose for the winter. The Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ was getting a bit crowded so I put it in a larger pot. Normally I don’t increase the cactus pot size by that much but I thought this one needed a bit more room than usual. I know I should probably remove some of the offsets but I am interested in seeing how this all works out. Will she throw some of her kids off or will they eventually fall off on their own? 🙂 I am hoping she will flower soon…
<<<<2020>>>>
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ at 4″ tall x 7″ wide on 10-15-20, #747-26.
Well, the cluster of Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ keeps getting bigger. I had to move the plants inside for the winter on October 15 because an “F” was in the forecast. The group measured 4″ tall x 7″ wide and they are doing well.
<<<<2021>>>>
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ at 4″ tall x 7 1/2″ wide on 10-28-21, #853-4.
The Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ continues to do well and is STILL 4″ tall but has spread out another 1/2″ over the summer. STILL waiting for flowers…
<<<<2022>>>>
Echinopsis ‘Rainbow Bursts’ at 4 1/4″ tall x 7 1/4″ wide on 10-16-22, #919-9.
Well, once again the potted plants had to be moved inside for the winter on October 16 in 2022. The original plant in the center measured 4 1/4″ tall and the whole cluster was 7 1/4″ wide… You know, it all depends on where you measure and how much water they have received. 🙂 Well, the water part is my opinion based on neglect…
This plant gets mealybugs over the winter, so I have to keep it away from other plants. I just dip a cotton swab in alcohol and then touch the mealy bugs. They just kind of dissolve.
There is quite a bit of information online about this genus and many species. It is quite celebrated due to their ease of keeping and especially their beautiful flowers. I will be glad when it blooms!
I will continue adding more photos and information as time goes by. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions, I would like to hear from you. If you can’t think of what to say, please click on the “like” below if you have visited as it helps us bloggers stay motivated. You can click on the links below for further reading about this AWESOME genus of cactus.
The Belmont Rooster 
I think that’s great. I have a similar sized rainbow burst. I recently removed the babies from the cactus and sold them. I am hoping that I can get blooms next year. I have found with another echinopsis that I have that they need a good rest period in order to bloom. That includes cool and dry conditions for more than a month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Sclerocactus Daddy! Glad to hear you have a ‘Rainbow Bursts’, too. I have been thinking about removing the babies but I have been saying that for a long time. After all this time it would look kind of bare. Mine is in a cool room during the winter and I don’t water but maybe twice during that time. Still no flowers… I guess it will when it gets ready. Keep me posted and thanks for the comment!
LikeLike
I believe I have one, but I am somewhat unsure of the species, as I have not seen its flowers since the 1980’es when it belonged to my mother, who kept it in a greenhouse, but I seem to recall red flowers. The plant does look very much like a Echinopsis Rainbow burst though.
It was at least 4 inches tall when my mother was given it by a neighbour, and then she had it as mentioned until about 1983 or so, when she gave me one of her specimens. I have kept it on a closed balcony ever since, but have never seen it flower. It is now about 7 inches, and have lots of “babies” at the base and higher up on the stem. Mine has 12 ribs (mother plant), and 10-11 on the babies. Short spines, whitish and wooly at the apex.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hello Kelb! It is definitely possible you have an Echinopsis species. There are a lot of cactus that look so much alike it is hard to tell, though. You can browse through a multitude of photos on many sites and still not be sure. You can also post the photo on a Facebook group that has many members. My cousin has several similar cacti that flower up a storm that are likely pretty old. Like you, however, I am STILL waiting… Take care and thanks for the comment!
LikeLike
Hi, and thanks for replying 🙂
I have already posted images and a description on a big facebook group, but no suggestions so far.
Oh well… We don’t love cacti for their names, but for all the other reasons, I guess.
My favourite is a whole other species, a Copiapoa humilis from about 1980, and I also cherish a Hawaii palm, although it is not even a recognized succulent, but merely has these traits to a degree. It has sadly been declining during the last many years, and I believe there is only one specimen left in its original habitat. Luckily, it is becoming still more popular as a house plant, as someone saved seeds from the remaining 14 or 15 specimens found on one of the Hawaiian islands. But it’s not an easy plant to purchase anywhere.
I have a Google doc with my plants and cacti, in case you’d like to see it, but it’s in Danish, as I am a citizen of Denmark.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YdNTDJ9ctcGXJ4SfOFKS9-bcHuNKCICjd2KogkPa5Gs/edit?usp=sharing
Stay safe 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I post on several groups when I get stumped. Succulent Infatuation is one that seems to work well for me but many members are in several groups. I checked out Copiapoa humilis and it looks like a great cactus. Palms are also among my favorites but I had to give mine up when I moved back here. Hopefully, the Hawaiian Palm will make a great comeback. I checked out the link but I can’t read Danish. I can use a translator, though, which I do on occasion. Thanks for sharing! I don’t think I have met anyone from Denmark although I do get a lot of views from there. Glad to meet you!
LikeLike
Using hints from your website, I have managed to find the names for two more little ones, namely Rebutia heliosa var. cajasensis and Thelocactus setispinus or Hamatocactus setispinus (probably identical). Thank you 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s GREAT!
LikeLike