Opuntia subulata (Austrocylindropuntia subulata)

There is a cactus that is increasingly common to see in gardens with a rather hot and dry climate: the one that was known and is still known as opuntia subulata, and whose current scientific name is Austrocylindropuntia subulata; a somewhat longer and more complicated name, but that refers to the same fast-growing and easy-growing plant that we can have even in pots.

This species is very interesting, because if it is well cared for, its high ornamental value stands out a lot. While it is true that this ornamentality it is usually appreciated only by those fans of thorny cacti, it is also true that Anyone who wants to protect their land with plants will find this species a great ally.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonist is an arborescent and quite branched cactus native to South America, especially Peru and Ecuador. Reaches a height of 4 meters, with elongated stems up to 50 centimeters long, green in color. The areolas are in the upper part, and from them sprout one to four straight, strong and grayish spines with a length of up to 6 centimeters. The leaves are rudimentary, thin and very short, 1-2 centimeters long, green.

The flowers are very pretty, large up to 6 centimeters long, and red. Once they are pollinated, the fruit will be produced, which will reach 10 centimeters, and which can be thorny.

What are the care of the opuntia subulata?

Do you want to have a copy but you have doubts about how to take care of it? Do not worry: below I will explain everything you need to know about this topic:

Location

Like practically all cacti, this species she is a lover of the sun, a heliophile that is called in technical terms. The meaning of this word is as follows: a living being (plant or animal) that requires direct exposure to the sun for its development. But be very careful with this: that it needs many hours of sunlight does not mean that it has to be put there the first day we buy it, and much less if they had it protected.

Sunburns in newly acquired cacti are very frequent, precisely because, of course, we are so used to seeing photos of these plants in their habitats, in the sun, that when we acquire them our reaction is usually to place them in those places. But you can only put your opuntia subulata in a sunny exhibition if in the nursery they already had it in those conditions, otherwise, you will have to get used to it little by little.

Can it be inside the house / flat?

It's not advisable. Homes are not usually bright enough for cacti. So unless you have a glazed interior patio, or a room with windows through which sunlight enters, it is better not to have it there since it would have an abnormal development (etiolated and weak stems, it may not flower, presence of pests and diseases, etc.).

Irrigation

escaso. During the summer with one or two weekly irrigations it usually has enough, and the rest of the year once every 15, 20 or even 30 days. It is very important to let the soil dry completely. Do not be afraid of watering less: I can tell you that in my area (south of Mallorca, with annual rainfall of 350mm and temperatures between 38ºC maximum and -1,5ºC) those that are planted in the ground hardly water ; and those that are in pots I would almost dare to say that they only pour water on them when they remember.

In any case, if you were very thirsty, you would see that the stems wrinkle. It is not advisable to reach that extreme, but if it does, it would be easily recovered by simply putting the pot in a basin of water for about 30 minutes, or watering it with a hose or watering can in case of having it planted in the garden.

Earth

• Flower pot: universal growing substrate mixed with 50% perlite, river sand or similar.
• Garden: grows in soils with good drainage, also in limestone.

Subscriber

From early spring to late summer It is advisable -although not mandatory- to pay your Austrocylindropuntia subulata with fertilizers for cacti (like this one they sell No products found.), following the indications specified on the package.

Multiplication

It multiplies by seeds and cuttings in spring-summer. How? As follows:

Seeds

It is a method that is not used much, but it can be done very easy simply by sowing the seeds a mixture of universal growing substrate mixed with perlite in equal parts, in a pot with holes placed in semi-shade (where it has more light than shade).

Keeping the substrate moist (not waterlogged) they will germinate in about two weeks maximum.

Cuttings

It is a fast and efficient method of obtaining new copies. For it, you have to cut a stem, let the wound dry for a week and then plant it in an individual pot with vermiculite (for sale No products found.) or black peat mixed with perlite in equal parts.

To have a greater chance of success, the base of the cutting can be impregnated with rooting hormones (for sale No products found.), although it really isn't very necessary.

Plagues and diseases

The Cactus opuntia subulata It is a very resistant species, so much so that you just have to look to control the molluscs (snails and slugs) as these animals tend to eat everything.

Rusticity

It resists weak and specific frosts of up to -4ºC.

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