Help me ID this poky fellow!

[moonchild]

Hey guys! So I acquired this little guy recently and haven't had any luck on Google with trying to figure out a species. Its about 2.5"-3" tall with very prominent spines clustered towards the top. It hasn't flowered as far as I know. Pretty sure it was originally from CVS before I was given it. Thanks!

[adetheproducer]

I think its an echinocactus grusonii but could be wrong.

[moonchild]

There are a few in the Echinocactus grusonii images results on Google that look really similar to mine. Perhaps mine is just really young! How exciting if it is, golden barrel cactus are some of my favorites.

[greenknight]

It looks like it was grown with lower light for some time, producing weak spine development. It's now in better light, with good spine development on the newer growth. The old part has turned red because it's not well protected by spines, which normally reflect away a lot of light.

As it grows larger, the base will shrivel up and disappear under the plant. Keep it growing well, like it is now, after several years it will look like a normal Echinocactus grusonii.