opuntia humifusa

Species of the genus Opuntia are cacti that can go days and even weeks without receiving a single drop of water. They live in arid or semi-arid regions of America, although there are several that are cultivated in other parts of the world, such as the opuntia humifusa.

It grows in a prostrate bush, and produces some of the most beautiful and largest flowers of the genus, with a diameter of about five centimeters and a yellow color that attracts attention.

Origin and characteristics of opuntia humifusa

It is a species that grows wild in the United States of America. It forms a dense bush with a height of 30 centimeters, and formed by segments (leaves) between 5 and 13 centimeters long, with areolas of about 3 millimeters. Thorns with a length of 2-3 centimeters sprout from them, as well as flowers in early summer. These are yellow and measure between 4 to 6 centimeters in diameter. The fruits are reddish, fleshy and suitable for consumption.

It is a cactus that due to its characteristics is very interesting to grow in rockeries, small gardens and, of course, also in pots or planters. If we make sure that it does not lack anything, surely we will be able to maintain it for many years. But let's see what you need.

What are the care it requires?

La opuntia humifusa It is a cactus with long thorns, but it also produces very pretty flowers. This is important to take into account to know where and how it is going to be cared for, since if for example there are children in the family it may be more interesting to plant it in an area where they do not spend a lot of time or cannot access it.

So let's know what exactly you need; In this way, it will be easier for us to decide where in the garden or patio it is going to be:

Location

It is a plant that It must be put in an area where the sun shines, but it is important to remember that before exposing it to the sun for the whole day before it has to get used to it. And it is that if before it was in the shade or indoors and now it is taken out in the sun, what is going to happen is that it will burn.

Therefore, to avoid this, it is necessary to put it one or two hours a day in an area where it is exposed to the rays of the sun, and increase the exposure time by 30 minutes or an hour each week.

Earth

• Flower pot: it is highly advisable to use substrates such as the cheek (on sale No products found.), la akadama (for sale No products found.), or even construction sand (small grain, 1-3 millimeters) mixed with 40% black peat.
• Garden- Will grow in condition if the soil drains water quickly. If this is not the case, we will have to make a hole of about 50 x 50 centimeters and fill it with some substrate mentioned before.

Irrigation

Irrigation has to be very scarce; in fact, if it is kept in the garden, it will only have to be watered from time to time during the first year. In the case that it is grown in a pot, we will water it about 2 times a week in summer, and much less the rest of the year. In fact, in winter there will be almost no water to pour in, just once a month if it doesn't rain.

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From early spring to late summer must be paid to the opuntia humifusa. We will use fertilizers or fertilizers for cacti, following the instructions on the container. If it is in the garden, we can use granulated or powdered fertilizers (for sale No products found.), but if it is in a pot we recommend the use of liquid fertilizers (for sale No products found.) as they have a faster efficiency.

Multiplication

All species of Opuntia multiply by seeds and by leaf / segment cuttings. The seeds are sown in spring or summer, if possible freshly harvested, in pots or trays with cactus soil. The seedbed will be placed outside and in full sun, so that the plants already grow and get used to the sun.

In case you want to multiply by cuttings, you will simply have to cut a leaf at the base with a disinfected knife, and leave it in a dry place for a week so that the wound heals. After that time, it should be planted in a pot with black soil mixed with perlite in equal parts, burying the end that was attached to the plant a little.

Plagues and diseases

Apart from some cochineal When grown in very dry and hot environments, it is unlikely to have problems. Of course, if it is on the ground it is highly advisable to monitor the snails during the rainy season.

Rusticity

According to various sources consulted, such as the video you can see above, this variety of opuntia can even be cultivated in southern Ontario (Canada). This means that withstands frosts and snowfalls up to -20ºC, As minimum.

How about the opuntia humifusa?