The prickly pear cactus (Opuntia) is considered one of the most numerous genera of the Cactus family. It includes nearly 200 different species. In nature, such cacti live on both American continents, while more than half of all species can be found in Mexico. It is not surprising that this particular plant is depicted on the coat of arms and flag of this country. According to legend, the eagle, sitting on a prickly pear and devouring a snake, became the personification of the will of the gods. At the place where this picture was revealed to the ancient Aztecs, their main city was founded.
Opuntia was widely used by the Indians as an edible plant. The shoots and fruits of these cacti were used for food, in addition, carmine dye was obtained from parts of prickly pears. Today, prickly pear is often used as a forage plant, as well as for preparing various dishes and drinks.
It is noteworthy that, getting to other regions suitable for habitation, prickly pears often begin to multiply uncontrollably and turn into a malicious weed. To destroy its thickets, special preparations are used. But its unpretentiousness and original appearance make the prickly pear cactus one of the domestic plants that are widespread throughout the world.
Description of prickly pear
Opuntia can look like trees, erect or creeping bushes with flat stems, divided into segmented segments. Their surface is covered with spines of various sizes and bunches of small setae-hooks - glochidia. Reduced foliage may be present on the shoots. The flowers are arranged singly and are colored yellow, red or orange. Later, edible fruits-berries in a dense shell are tied in their place. They have a sweetish taste and are often referred to as "Indian figs." The seeds inside the berries are the size of beans.
At home, prickly pear blooms very rarely. This occurs most often in plants that spend the summer outdoors. Some species of these cacti grow well outdoors in a relatively mild climate and very snowy winters, and some are able to withstand cold. When grown outdoors during the frost period, such prickly pears become dehydrated and wither, lying on the ground, but with the return of heat they again acquire a decorative appearance. Usually in the garden, prickly pears are decorated with elevated sunny places where moisture does not linger. But only pre-grown specimens are suitable for this.
Brief rules for growing prickly pear
The table shows brief rules for caring for prickly pear at home.
| Lighting level | Bright sun in the morning, then diffused light. |
| Content temperature | During the growing season - indoor, during dormancy - 5-7 degrees. |
| Watering mode | From spring to early autumn - rare watering through the pallet after the soil dries out, in winter, subject to the dormant regime, they do not water at all. |
| Air humidity | Low to moderate humidity is suitable for optimal growth. |
| The soil | The optimal soil is a mixture that includes clay and turf, double leaf land and half sand. You can use a ready-made store-bought substrate for cacti. |
| Top dressing | Monthly from March to early fall. Mineral formulations with a low dose of nitrogen are used. During the dormant period, fertilizers are not applied. |
| Transfer | Young cacti are transplanted every spring (before the start of growth) by adults - 3-4 times less often. |
| Bloom | Under indoor conditions, prickly pear blooms extremely rarely. |
| Dormant period | The dormant period lasts from mid-autumn to spring. During this period, the plants are moved to a cool place (about 5-7 degrees), they are not fertilized and watered much less often. |
| Reproduction | Cutting, less often by seeds. |
| Pests | Spider mites, worms, whiteflies, nematodes, etc. |
| Diseases | Various types of rot, late blight. |
Caring for prickly pear at home
Lighting
Opuntia needs good lighting throughout the year. Ideally, direct light should fall on the plant in the morning and evening, but not at noon. In winter, cacti can be kept in direct sunlight all day. During the day, the plant should be illuminated with them for at least 4 hours. But if the cactus has stood in a shady place for a long time, it must be gradually adapted to brighter light.
With a lack of lighting, cactus shoots can turn pale and stretch.
Temperature
From spring to late summer, prickly pears do not need special conditions: the cactus grows well at room temperature: about 24 degrees during the day and about 20 degrees at night. Opuntia does not like intense heat and slows down the rate of development at 35 degrees or more. For the summer, you can transfer the plant to the open air.
In winter, prickly pears are recommended to be gradually moved to a cool place - to a room where it is kept no more than 7 degrees. The minimum threshold is 5 degrees. Such conditions will allow the cactus to rest properly, slowing down the growth rate. As soon as the indoor temperature rises to 12 degrees, the plant will resume development. But in winter, due to a lack of light, the bushes can quickly take on an unhealthy look. If you leave the pots warm with them, during this period the plants will stretch significantly and lose their decorative effect.
Watering
Like all cactus, prickly pear does not need abundant watering. Overflow can lead to the development of rot on the roots of the plant. During active growth - in summer and spring - the soil is moistened only after the soil has completely dried, preferably in the late afternoon. In winter, if the flower pot is cool, you don't need to water it until spring.
For prickly pear it is recommended to use only bottom watering. Soft water is poured into the pallet - rain or settled for at least a day. It will be useful to add a few grains of citric acid to it (per 1 liter). Conventional overhead watering can cause drips to fall on the stem of the cactus. Calcareous water closes its pores and disrupts the breathing process, which can cause cork growths on prickly pears.
To keep moisture in the soil longer, and not to form a crust on the surface of the earth, you can pour a thin layer of gravel next to the cactus.
Humidity level
As a succulent, prickly pear does not require high levels of moisture. Dry (or only moderately humid) air has a positive effect on the growth rate of a cactus, so you do not need to spray it either in summer or in winter.
The soil
Opuntia grow fast enough, but have a weak root system. Such cacti are planted in wide, low pots, filling them with light, slightly acidic soil.Planting soil can include clay and sod, double leaf soil and half sand. You can also use a store-bought cactus substrate. It is advisable to add fine expanded clay, brick debris and crushed charcoal to the resulting mixture. The main condition is the absence of humus in the soil.
Top dressing
To maintain normal rates of development, prickly pears are periodically fed. This is done only during the growing season of the cactus: from spring to autumn. Mineral formulations with a reduced nitrogen content should be used. They are brought in no more than once a month. Some growers feed prickly pear only once during the entire growing season - at the very end of March, using the recommended dosage of a specialized composition for cacti. It is believed that such measures help stimulate flowering: frequent feeding can provoke the growth of segments, but not the formation of buds.
Transfer
The process of transplanting prickly pear does not tolerate well and adapts for a long time in a new place, therefore, the bushes should be moved only if necessary - once every 3-4 years. The transplant is carried out in the spring, before the beginning of the growing season. If the prickly pear has gained color, you should not transplant the cactus - the procedure is postponed for a year. The exception is small, more actively developing prickly pears - they are transplanted annually.
The prickly pear is transplanted into a new pot in dry soil, carefully rolling over and trying not to destroy the soil lump. During transplantation and for another week after it, the plant is not watered. The cactus should spend several weeks in a shaded area after being moved.
Flowering prickly pear
Flowering care
Potted prickly pears bloom very rarely. Some researchers associate this phenomenon with the slow growth rates of cacti, while others - with the inability to completely recreate the natural conditions required for flowering.
However, sometimes flowers do appear. In order for the buds to stay on the bushes longer, not to fly around or regenerate into simple buds, during this period it is necessary to especially carefully monitor the cactus. After the formation of buds, the pot with it can neither be rearranged nor rotated. All manipulations with the plant, requiring the movement of the pot, including the transplant, are canceled. The rest of the care - watering and fertilizing - should remain the same.
Post-flowering care
After the flowering of prickly pears is completed, the volume of irrigation is gradually reduced, and they also stop feeding. Thus, preparation for the rest period takes place. Then the cactus is moved to a cool room, where it keeps about 5-7 degrees. In such conditions, the plant is left until spring, completely stopping watering and feeding.
Breeding methods of prickly pear
Cuttings
Homemade prickly pears are easiest to propagate by cuttings. Segments are carefully separated (broken off) from an adult bush and dried for about 3-4 days, keeping in an upright position. During this period, the slices should be properly tightened.
For rooting, the segments are planted in wet and pre-disinfected sand, deepening by about 3 cm. The seedlings are covered from above with a transparent bag or jar. Every day, the shelter is removed for ventilation, and the maintenance of soil moisture is also monitored. A suitable rooting temperature is about 20 degrees, for reliability you can use the bottom heating. The roots should appear in about 3-4 weeks. After rooting, the cuttings are planted in their own small pots, using the same substrate as for planting an adult prickly pear.
Growing from seeds
If you have prickly pear seeds, you can try to germinate them. To increase germination, the dense shell of each seed must be broken with a file or sandpaper. So it will be easier for the sprout to break through the "shell" of the seed.
The seeds treated in this way are kept in water for 24 hours. You can also soak them in a weak solution of potassium permanganate for about 10 minutes to disinfect the inoculum.Then the seeds are placed in moist, sterilized soil, including river sand and leafy soil, as well as half of the fine charcoal. A drainage layer must be laid on the bottom of the container.
The seeds are distributed superficially, sprinkled with a thin (up to 1 cm) layer of soil, sprayed with a spray bottle, then covered with a film and placed in a warm, well-lit place, not forgetting to periodically remove the shelter for ventilation. The moisture content of the soil also needs to be monitored. Do not overdry it during this period. The optimum temperature for germination depends on the type of prickly pear and can range from 20 to 35 degrees. Amicable shoots should not be expected - the process of sprouting can take a month or even a whole year. Germination depends on the freshness of the seed, as well as on the storage conditions.
When the emerging seedlings are properly strengthened, they dive into their own pots. The seedlings will take about two years to grow. Young plants are kept in a bright place, covering them from direct sunlight. When the seedlings are old enough, they are transplanted into soil suitable for adult cacti.
Diseases and pests
Pests
Homemade prickly pears can be attacked by pests. Whiteflies are one of the most common. Adults do not harm the bushes, but their larvae feed on cactus juices. From them, as well as from other sucking insects (spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs), insecticides or acaricides help. They are applied to the plant by spraying, if necessary, covering the soil in the pot with a package. After 7-10 days, the treatment is repeated.
Root nematode attack is the hardest to spot. Their presence is noticeable only during the transplant period. The roots of prickly pears need to be examined. If there are bulges on them, this is the work of insects. The affected areas should be cut with sharp instruments to healthy tissue, and then the roots should be soaked in warm (45-50 degrees) water for about 10 minutes. At the same time, the root collar cannot be moistened. After processing, the roots are dried, and then crushed coal is sprinkled on the places of the cuts. Then the cactus is transplanted into fresh disinfected soil.
Diseases
Opuntia can be affected by fungal diseases. Typically, pathogenic microorganisms enter the plant from the substrate, being activated due to an excess of nitrogen or frequent stagnation of moisture. Among such diseases are various rot, as well as late blight.
The affected areas of the plant are cut out, and then treated with a fungicide solution. You can use copper sulphate, Bordeaux mixture, Oxyhom, etc. During processing, you should follow the instructions and strictly observe safety precautions.
Anthracnose can also develop on prickly pears. The stems of the affected plant become covered with light brown areas with small pink specks and begin to get wet. It is unlikely that such a cactus can be cured. Most often, the disease develops due to untreated soil before planting the plant. At the same time, the rest of the plantings are treated with a preparation containing copper for preventive purposes.
Some problems with the growth and development of prickly pear can be associated with mistakes in caring for it.
- If the stem shrivels, and the segments begin to droop, the cactus has dried out - too much time passes between waterings, and it is too hot in the room, or scorching rays fall on the cactus. This can sometimes be caused by a cramped pot. Shrinking of the stem in winter often means that the room temperature is too high. In this case, the plant must be watered in the usual way, and then try to move it to more suitable conditions for winter maintenance.
- The appearance of a cork at the bottom of the stem in cacti older than 2 years is a natural aging of tissues. If the cork layer appears on fresh growths, it is likely that droplets of hard water have fallen on them. Its salts clog the pores of the plant and accelerate their aging. This can happen when soil particles hit a cactus.
- Excess moisture in the winter or a long absence of appropriate dressings can slow down the growth of bushes. If the prickly pear is kept in suitable conditions, but does not grow, some disease may be the cause.
- A light spot on the side of the window - this is how a burn from too bright rays can appear. Usually, such spots appear with a sharp change in scenery, for example, transfer from partial shade to the open sun. The optimal period for the gradual adaptation of a plant to new conditions is a couple of weeks.
- The cactus has begun to tilt or become stained - perhaps the stem has begun to rot due to over-watering. If spots appear during cold wintering, the room temperature may be too low.
- Cracking of the stems is a sign of waterlogging.
Types of prickly pears with photos and names
Of the hundreds of prickly pear species, many can be grown at home, but the most common among them are the following:
White-haired prickly pear (Opuntia leucotricha)
The trunk of this cactus is treelike and consists of segments 10-20 cm long. They are covered with dense bristles and yellow glochidia. Opuntia leucotricha flowers are golden in color and have green stigmas. The diameter of one flower reaches 8 cm. The fruits smell nice, they can be eaten.
Berger's prickly pear (Opuntia bergeriana)
The stem of Opuntia bergeriana consists of pale green sections up to 25 cm long. The surface of the stems is covered with sparse areoles, including spines of various sizes. They are yellow or brownish in color. During flowering, many yellow-orange flowers with greenish stigmas are formed on the bushes.
Opuntia main (Opuntia basilaris)
Or the main prickly pear. This species is made up of bushy plants with long branched stems. Opuntia basilaris has green segments with a red or bluish tinge. Their length ranges from 8 to 20 cm. The brownish depressed areoles have a small number of spines and are slightly pubescent. The color of the flowers can be different: bright red or pink. This prickly pear has two subspecies: cordata and nana.
Opuntia Gosselina (Opuntia gosseliniana)
The species forms bushes that grow into small clumps. Opuntia gosseliniana stems are divided into thin segments. In young cacti, their color is light red, and in adults, it is gray-green. There are soft needles on the areoles in the upper part of the cactus. The flowers are yellow in color.
This prickly pear has a subspecies santa rita. It is distinguished by a bluish bloom at the edges of the segments, as well as a lilac framing of the areolas.
Long-waisted prickly pear (Opuntia longispina)
Or the prickly pear is long-spiked. Creeping view. Opuntia longispina has stems that are divided into small spherical segments that form a kind of chains. They are slightly flattened, and the length of each is about 4 cm. Areoles are colored brown, and glochidia and marginal spines are reddish. The central spine is larger than the rest. The flowers are wide open and colored in shades of orange or red.
Opuntia curassavica
The species is distinguished by hanging shoots. In Opuntia curassavica, the stems are formed in narrow segments, which are easily detached when broken. They are green in color and vary in length from 2 to 5 cm. Small areoles are covered with short bristles and supplemented with light needles.
Opuntia fragilis (Opuntia fragilis)
This cactus is bush-shaped with easily detachable segments up to 3 cm long. In Opuntia fragilis, they can be round or flat. Small areoles are located at a fairly small distance from each other. Their pubescence is light in color, while glochidia are yellowish. The areola also has 4 yellowish-brown spines up to 3 cm long, located crosswise. The flowers have yellow petals and green stigmas.
Prickly pear (Opuntia microdasys)
The species has branched stems half a meter long. In Opuntia microdasys, they consist of small rounded segments with a dark green color. On each of the light areoles, there are many golden glochidia.The flowers have a golden inner side and a white column.
Indian prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica)
Or Indian ficus. This species forms bushes with upright woody shoots. As they approach the top, they begin to branch. Opuntia ficus-indica is formed by gray-green oval segments. Their surface is covered with few areoles. They contain light yellow glochidia, which are easily separated from the plant, and light needles. The color of the flowers is bright red. The fruit is pear-shaped and is considered edible. Their color can be yellow, green or red. Each fruit consists of a transparent white, slightly sweet pulp and large seeds.
Opuntia scheeri
Strongly branching cactus. Opuntia scheerii has blue-green segments. Their size reaches 30 cm. On the stems there are many closely spaced areoles. They consist of brownish glochidia, small spines and hairs. The flowers have light yellow petals and a green pistil. As the flowers fade, the yellow color of the flowers changes to salmon.
Opuntia compressed (Opuntia compressa)
The species has creeping shoots, divided into bright green rounded segments. Opuntia compressa can be completely thornless. Sometimes they are located only at the top of the shoots. The cactus has slightly pointed foliage and light yellow flowers.
Properties of prickly pear
Beneficial features
All parts of prickly pears have certain valuable properties. The leaves and fruits contain protein, glucose and trace elements (calcium, magnesium and phosphorus). The stems contain protein and starch, sugar, and vitamin C. Flowers are rich in amino acids. In addition, prickly pear contains many vitamins, as well as various useful fibers.
Cactus can help in the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system and oral cavity, normalize the activity of the nervous system and help the digestive organs. The plant helps to restore metabolic processes, helps with diabetes, problems with the heart and blood vessels, as well as with the musculoskeletal system. In addition, cactus is used as a hangover cure. It is also able to strengthen the body, help heal wounds and help with obesity.
Opuntia is widely used as a cosmetic product. It helps cleanse the body of harmful toxins and can be useful in hair and skin care. The oil in edible fruits is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids. They contribute to the fight against early skin aging. The oil is often included in face creams and hair masks, and is also used in aromatherapy.
In addition to medicinal products, prickly pear is also used for industrial needs. From the plant, you can get food colors, pectin, oil, glue, and also use prickly pear to create deodorants and all kinds of detergents.
Contraindications
Like any medicine, prickly pear has a number of contraindications. It should not be used for exacerbation of cystitis or hemorrhoids. In addition, the cactus is an exotic plant, therefore, before using products based on it, you need to consult a specialist.
In some cases, prickly pear can cause allergies. Signs of individual intolerance are manifested in headaches, nausea and vomiting, as well as in the appearance of a reddish rash on the body half an hour after taking the drug. With such symptoms, the use of prickly pear should be stopped.
