Prickly pear cactus that adorns the windowsills of many gardeners. It is a tropical plant that grows in arid regions. It forms interesting shapes and branches, in the warm season it pleases with the beauty of its flowering. The motherland of prickly pear is South America. In the natural environment, bushes reach large sizes, grow in different directions. This Cactus family combines many varieties and varieties.
Description of prickly pear
Prickly pear is a perennial cactus. This family unites about 300 species, is the largest. Each individual species has its own distinctive features. Coloring varies from light green to dark green, bluish, smoky and gray cacti are also found. The size of the needles is also different, they are long and widely planted, and, on the contrary, are small and thick.
Cactus with red flowers
Combine cacti in one family, the shape of the leaves and their location. They are dense, fleshy, contain a large amount of liquid. Due to this, moisture is easily transferred. The shape is round, but of different sizes. The general appearance of the plant is formed in different ways, since the foliage is attached to each other and grows in different directions.
The root system is not very well developed. The roots are small, attached to the upper layers of the soil. Cactus prefers sandy or sandy loamy soil.
Important! The main feature of the fruit of prickly pears is that they are edible.
Currently, the plant can be found in the wild in South America, Africa, India, Mexico, Canada, Asia. Also, people tried to grow it in pots. Such an experiment was successful. Many flower growers contain prickly pear on their windowsill.
Types of prickly pear
Opuntia species are diverse, there are more than 300. Many varieties are grown at home.
Opuntia figs
Prickly pear prickly pear has its own peculiarity. The appearance of the plant is practically no different from others. The leaves are rounded, of different sizes, green. After flowering, in the middle of autumn, fruits are formed at the ends. Outwardly, they resemble figs, where the name comes from. After ripening, a juicy red flesh is formed inside. What is fig prickly pear? In countries where it grows in large numbers - this is a treat. Various dishes are prepared from it. Also, these berries are famous for their nutritional value and beneficial properties.
Indian prickly pear, or fig, blooms from early spring to autumn. Bright orange flowers are formed with elongated pointed petals. In the center are thin light hairs.
Cactus fruit
Small prickly prickly pear
In the natural environment it grows in the valleys of Mexico at an altitude of 1000 m above sea level. The dimensions of the cactus are quite large. It all depends on the growing conditions. The more free space, the larger the plant. The leaves are flat, fleshy, large, dark green. On them are small dots with a lot of small needles. Considering them is quite difficult. Bunches of white. Flowering occurs in a natural environment, at home it is difficult to achieve. The flowers of the prickly pear, or Microdasis, are large, beige, with stamens in the center.
Important! Small needles should not be touched without protection. They quickly penetrate the skin and cause discomfort.
Opuntia cylindrical
Cactus cylindropuntia grows in the tropics and subtropics. The plant reaches a height of up to 2 m. Individual processes of the prickly pear cactus are elongated. Covered in green small glochidia. These are peculiar green leaves. The maximum length is 5 cm. Sometimes, instead of them, long sharp single spikes are formed. At home, flowering is very rare. In the natural environment, large red flowers bloom.
Prickly pear garden
The prickly pear prickly pear, or the prickly pear prickly pear, has several varieties. This cactus is famous for the fact that it can be grown in open ground, without shelter. It takes root well in the middle lane, as it is winter-hardy. Flowering pleases the entire summer season. Depending on the variety, blooms in yellow or red.
Cactus in a pot
Other
The most popular cactus varieties are described above. In addition to them, there are other varieties:
- Opuntia subulata. The succulent has an oblong stem. On the surface are yellow needle-shaped spines, white tubercles. Flowering occurs once a year, lasts from spring to autumn. Forms bright red flowers.
- Prickly pear Berger. The plant reaches up to 1 m in height. The leaves are round, fleshy, dark green. On them are yellow needles. It blooms with bright orange flowers with thick stamens inside.
- Opuntia Monacantha. The plant has an unusual shape. Green leaves with brown needles extend from the stem. Each sheet has a peculiar shape. Indoor does not bloom.
- Prickly pear prickly pear. The cactus is medium sized. The leaves are green, rounded, with small growths. Branches with red flowers depart from them. On the surface of the leaves are long needles.
- Prickly pear Brazilian. It has large sizes, grows up to 1 m. There is a central stem from which leaves, round, green, depart. The surface is covered with needles, a small white coating is visible on the stem.
The variety of species has no boundaries. There are succulents that look like an ordinary cactus. Many of them are spiny, without needles, others, on the contrary, are prickly, strewn with needles of different sizes.
Prickly pear care at home
Tropical prickly pear cactus needs home care. For flowering, it is necessary to observe all the features of cactus care. Monitor watering, top dressing and lighting, as well as change the soil if necessary.
Temperature and humidity
Since the plant is tropical, it tolerates heat well. The optimum temperature is + 25-30 ° C. During the summer, it is better to keep the pot out of the house, in the fresh air. If this is not possible, then the room is regularly ventilated.
Before wintering, the temperature of the content is reduced to 5 ° C. If you make it at least a degree higher, then the cactus will not be able to go into a state of rest.
Room humidity does not play a big role. Succulents can tolerate both dry and humid air. Therefore, there is no need to spray.
Important! During dormancy, succulent is introduced at the end of October.
Prickly pear
Lighting
It is advisable to place the plant in a well-lit place. Succulents are tropical, therefore it requires a lot of sunlight. If there is not enough daylight, then the cactus is illuminated with a special lamp up to 12 hours a day.
Soil and fertilizing
Prickly pear has its own special requirements for the selection of soil. The usual cactus soil sold at the store is not suitable. It stops growth. The mixture must be prepared independently. To do this, take:
- turf land;
- sheet substrate;
- dry clay;
- sand;
- charcoal.
All components are mixed in equal proportions. Then the mixture is sprinkled on a baking sheet in an even layer and calcined in the oven at 100 ° C. This is necessary to destroy harmful bacteria and fungi that may be in the ground or sand. Thus, cactus is prevented from becoming infected with diseases.
Opuntia can be fed only with mineral fertilizers for succulents and cacti. Organic fertilizers are prohibited. The procedure is carried out every 2 weeks during the growing season. During rest, succulents are not fed, this is not necessary.
Watering
Prickly pear accumulates a large amount of fluid in the leaves and stems. Water the cactus as the soil dries. Since it is kept in the heat, irrigation is often done. The larger the plant, the more water it will consume.
Important! Do not overfill succulents, as this will cause rot and death.
Cactus with pink flowers
Cactus flowering prickly pear
Opuntia rarely begins to bloom at home. To obtain flowers, you need to create the most suitable conditions for this. In an apartment, this is almost impossible. However, sometimes a cactus begins to produce buds. If this happened, then you need to know a few rules:
- do not move the pot to another place;
- Do not turn the plant flower to the sun;
- continue to water as usual;
- do not transplant the plant;
- do not feed.
If you disturb the peace of the cactus, it will quickly drop the buds, in their place green shoots of children form, which can be used for reproduction.
Opuntia yellow
Breeding methods
Propagating prickly pears is quite simple. This can be done by two methods: shoots or seeds.
Vegetative
At the beginning of spring or late autumn, several processes are selected. It is desirable that they be large or medium in size and without damage. Carefully cut the cuttings with scissors, then apply the base to the ground. A glass cap is put on top and awaiting rooting. At this time, several mandatory procedures are carried out:
- every day remove the hood for ventilation for 30 minutes;
- warm the soil at the bottom of the pot to stimulate root growth;
- water the earth as it dries;
- withstand at this time a temperature of 20 ° C;
- after rooting, transplanted to a new place.
Seeds
It is quite difficult to get succulent seeds. To do this, the plant must bloom, then give fruit with grains. The procedure for seed germination is quite complicated, but interesting. It takes place in several stages:
- the seeds are kept in a solution of potassium permanganate for 30 minutes;
- dried;
- each seed is treated with a file or sandpaper;
- drainage from fine pebbles or expanded clay is laid at the bottom of the pot;
- fall asleep a layer of soil;
- place seeds on top;
- fall asleep with earth;
- cover with a transparent film;
- leave at a temperature of 20 ° C;
- air daily;
- after receiving the sprouts, they are planted in different containers.
Important! After receiving small cacti, they begin to care for them in the same way as for adults. An annual plant is transplanted into a larger container. The procedure is carried out in spring or autumn.
What is this prickly pear? Many flower growers ask about this, not realizing that it has been growing on their windowsill for several years. Often it can be found at home with cactus lovers. This class includes over 300 species. Combine them all with a rounded leaf shape, bewitching flowering. The cactus has frost-resistant species, which allows it to be used in landscape design and planted in open ground.
