Rules for planting and caring for prickly pear at home, breeding methods
Opuntia belongs to the type of cactus that is not afraid of either heat or cold. It's hard to believe, but the southern plant feels good not only on the windowsills of apartments, but also in the open ground of garden plots. Moreover, for the winter, it does not even need to be moved indoors. Caring for prickly pears at home is not difficult even for novice florists. It is therefore this species that is chosen for their first experience in the cultivation of succulents.
Description and peculiarities of the plant
Opuntia is a genus of the cactus family, which has about 200 species and is one of the most numerous. Its habitat extends from the steppe zone of Canada to the southern regions of Argentina. However, despite the large number of representatives, not all species are grown on the windowsills of apartments.
Since prickly pear belongs to desert cacti, it is quite tenacious and unpretentious to climatic and soil conditions. The cactus has leafy, flat, juicy stems, somewhat reminiscent of flat cakes. Their color is dark green. Although in natural conditions the height of the succulent is quite impressive - about 4.5 meters, at home it is a compact plant, not exceeding 60 cm.
Main varieties
The main varieties that growers prefer to grow on their windowsills are the following succulents of this genus.
figure
This prickly pear got this name due to its fruits, which outwardly resemble those of figs. The advantage of this type is that it not only decorates the design of the room, but can also be used in the preparation of dishes and folk remedies for the treatment of diseases. The composition of prickly pear fruits contains 8 essential amino acids, which makes it unique among all plants.
Folk remedies from this succulent effectively eliminate inflammation, reduce the number of platelets in the blood, soften the skin and eliminate its age-related changes.
thin hair
It is a large branched shrub that can reach 1 meter in height. Its flowers are bell-shaped, painted in a light yellow tone. At the end of the flowering period, purple-red berries appear on the cactus.
Shepherd
The succulent is characterized by a tall, bright green stem. Its ovoid lobes are up to 25 cm long, and in the areoles there are rare long spines of yellow color. Berger's prickly pear blooms with bells that have an orange-yellow hue.
Subulata
The unusual appearance of this prickly pear variety attracts many flower growers. The stem looks like a cylinder, and there are several shoots on its sides.As a rule, the subulata does not bloom at home. It is unpretentious in care, loves sunlight very much, so it can be grown on southern windowsills. For a long time it does without watering and does not impose special requirements for humidity air.
Cylindrical
The absence of ribs and the cylindrical shape of the trunk are characteristic features of this prickly pear. For whom, in general, it takes its name. While the prickly pear is young, its needles are soft, only in the adult state do they resemble ordinary cactus thorns. This representative is one of the tallest: in natural conditions it reaches 6 meters, at home it has a more modest size, but with proper care it can quite well reach 2 meters.
monacanthus
A distinctive feature of monacanth variegata is the coloring of the shoots. They are dark green in color with light streaks. It is also characterized by active branching and the presence of a large number of pinkish flowers.
Brazilian prickly pear
Under natural conditions, the Brazilian prickly pear grows in the form of a tree. The areoles are white and have long brown spines. During the flowering period, the succulent becomes covered with elongated flowers of a yellow tint. The Brazilian prickly pear is very fond of a dark, warm place, and with illiterate care, its plates first sag, and then completely fall off.
Robust
It belongs to one of the largest representatives of the genus and grows in the form of a powerful shrub. Thick green leaves reach 60-70 cm in diameter. During the flowering period, yellow flowers appear, from which subsequently fruits of burgundy color with a slightly bluish bloom are formed.
White hair
In Mexico, this beautiful species of cactus is used for human food, it is also used for animal feed. Adult succulents have trunks covered in long white hairs. From the lemon-yellow flowers of the prickly pear, yellow or red fruits are formed, which are characterized by a very pleasant taste.
Conditions of detention
In order for the succulent to please the eye and develop normally at home, certain conditions of detention are observed. Although the prickly pear is considered one of the least pretentious houseplants, it still has its own requirements. If the agricultural technology is violated, the succulent loses its decorative effect, and flowering does not occur at all.
Lighting
Since the prickly pear is a resident of the tropics, it will have to organize constant lighting. Only on particularly hot days, when the sun's rays are very hot, light shading is organized.
air humidity
Air humidity is not critical for the cultivation of prickly pears. It easily tolerates a hot and dry indoor climate. However, during the growing season, regular watering is organized. But during the rest period, the succulent does not need such a procedure. Spraying flowers does not produce and does not leave the plant in drafts.
Temperature
The optimum temperature conditions for the prickly pear are indicators ranging from 21 to 37 degrees. However, for the dormant period, these values must be reduced to 10-18 degrees, so that the plant fully rests and actively enters the growing season in the spring.
Soil and capacity
The soil for planting prickly pears is purchased in garden stores, it has good water and air permeability, and the acidity index does not exceed 6.5. However, you can make soil to grow succulents, if you wish, at home. To do this, they take sod, mix it with leafy humus and a significant amount of coarse river sand. Instead of the latter, you can also use perlite. It also doesn't hurt to add chunks of charcoal to the soil.
Clay pots are ideal for growing prickly pears, which have large holes for water drainage. Unglazed walls of such containers contribute to a full-fledged air and moisture exchange, which is important for the harmonious development of the succulent.
top dresser
The prickly pear does not need a large amount of nutrients. For top dressing, special complexes for succulents are purchased, in which there is a low nitrogen content. Fertilize the cactus once a month, and during the rest period this procedure is stopped.
Dormant period
For the dormant period, which lasts for the prickly pear in autumn and winter, the flower is transferred to a dark place with low temperatures. Stop watering and feeding.
Bloom
During the flowering period, the succulent needs special care. Such a process in prickly pears is considered a rarity at home, but nevertheless, with proper care, it is quite possible to admire the beautiful flowers of cacti. If buds appear on the plant, it is worth following the following recommendations of experienced gardeners:
- Do not violate the rules of care that have been observed until this time, watering and fertilizing are carried out according to the schedule.
- In no case should you rearrange the cactus in a new place.
- During this period, it is contraindicated to transplant a flower.
If you violate at least one of these rules, the prickly pear will instantly lose its buds, and the owner of the cactus will not see a beautiful bloom.
After the succulent leaves the flowering period, gradually reduce the amount of humidity and fertilizer and transfer the cactus to a place where it will gain strength for the next growing season.
Seasonal Care Features
At each time of the year, prickly pears need special care, on which the health and full development of the cactus depends.
Spring
This is when the plant enters the growing season and comes out of dormancy. Prickly pear begins to be watered and fed in time. They transfer the flower to a lighted place and adjust the air temperature so that the indicator is at least 20 degrees.
Summer
In the summer, it is enough to provide the succulent with full lighting and a temperature regime above 21 degrees. Watering and feeding the cactus is necessary according to the schedule described above.
Autumn
This is the period when the plant begins to gradually prepare for the dormant period. They gradually reduce the amount of moisture in the soil and completely stop feeding the prickly pear.
Winter
The period when the flower does not need care at all. A cool, dark room is all that is needed for a cactus to rest well.
How to plant and replant
Often there is no need to transplant a succulent, he does not like unnecessary anxiety. This is done about once every 4 years.The process is carried out in the spring, before the start of the plant's active growing season. To do this, select a larger clay pot, provide drainage at the bottom and transfer the flower to a new container using the transfer method.
True, during the first three years of prickly pear development, experienced flower growers recommend replanting the cactus annually.
the reproduction
There are several ways to raise a tropical cactus at home:
- Cuttings. The fragments are separated from the trunk of an adult plant and left to dry in the open air for 3-4 days. When a dense protective film forms on the cut, rooting begins. This is done in wet sand, which is previously disinfected. Cover the top with plastic wrap or a glass cap. Periodically, the cover is removed to ventilate and water future cacti. When their roots are formed, they are placed in separate containers.
- Seeds. The material needs to be scarified, as it has a fairly dense shell. After that, the seeds are kept in a solution of weak manganese and sown in the ground. Cover with polyethylene, which is periodically removed for ventilation. Then comes the process of picking and growing the seedlings for 2 years. Only after that they are sent to a permanent place of growth and cared for, as with adult cacti.
Solve common problems
Sometimes growers encounter problems when growing prickly pears. They are associated with grooming errors, diseases and pest attacks.
Care errors
In the absence of adequate lighting, the prickly pear loses its decorative appearance, and excess water and the lack of a drainage system lead to rotting of the roots.In addition, a cactus is afraid of drafts, therefore its location is chosen taking into account these features.
Diseases
Of the diseases, prickly pears are most often affected by late blight, pituitary rot, gray rot and gray rot. The cause of all these diseases is considered to be fungi that infect plants in the event of overfeeding with nitrogen and an increase in the level of soil moisture. To get rid of trouble, use fungicides, it can be "Oxyhom" or Bordeaux mixture.
pests
Scale insects, root nematodes, spider mites and whiteflies are the main pests that sometimes attack prickly pears. To get rid of it, an acaricidal composition is used, for example, "Actellik".
Additional tips and tricks
To enjoy not only the beautiful appearance of the succulent, but also its flowering, follow the advice of experienced florists:
- Do not often change the place where the flower is grown.
- Do not fill in the soil the succulent is in.
- Top dressing is used in which the nitrogen content is low.
- Unglazed clay pots are purchased for growing prickly pears.
If these recommendations are followed, the prickly pear will become the original accent of any apartment or house and will certainly delight the owner with its flowering.