Related
briary pear cactus ( Opuntia ) consist of over 100 different specie and is recognize for produce delightful drear orangish yield get laid as tunas . Before they develop fruit , thecactigrow splendid , delicateflowersin colors ranging from orange , lily-livered , and pink .
The genus produce in a series of pads , which creates a sprawling , constitutional silhouette , making for an aesthetic addition to yourcollection of houseplants . If you ’ve been considering bestow these cacti to your home , you ’ll be happy to hear that they are more often than not low - criminal maintenance ! Learn about all putz you ’ll call for , along with a whole step - by - step guide to providing the proper aid so you could enjoy the beauty of the plant , its bloom , and mayhap even its yield !
Tools You’ll Need
paradigm quotation : Emily frost via Shutterstock
To ensure you allow your cacti with the proper care they want to grow , there are a few tools you ’ll take .
How To Grow Prickly Pear Cactus
Prickly pear cacti , like many other cactus industrial plant , do n’t ask much aid to fly high indoors . The plants also grow well outside , but they involve less attention and should flourish in the natural outdoor environment . irrespective of whether you rise them indoors and alfresco , they necessitate like lighting , pot media , watering , temperature , and humidness conditions .
Still , there are a few steps you could follow to provide optimal tending .
Light, Potting Media, and Fertilizer
Image credits : Jake Goossen via Unsplash
The cactus can handle fond tint in warmer climates , but it ’s best to keep them in bright sunlight for at least six minute a day . With more swooning exposure , you have good chance of blooms and fruits developing . you could also install agrow twinkle toprovide extra light if necessary .
Well - draining sandlike or gravely soilis important for growing prickly pear cacti . Since they are prone tooverwatering , the mixture should drain well and not keep much moisture . A storage - boughtcactus mixture , a 50 - 50 combining of sand and dirt orperliteandcompost , works well .
Occasionalfertilizingmay be necessary when grow a burry pear cactus indoors . Using a well - equilibrise fertilizer , treat the plant when it begins to blanch in color or develop fewer blush . As a general rule , feed during the hotter months when the plant life are actively growing .
Water, Temperature, and Humidity
Image credits : Yellow Cat via Shutterstock
Go easy withwateringsince most cacti , admit the prickly pear cactus , are drouth tolerant . irrigate the plant less than you irrigate othertropical houseplants , such asbird of paradiseorpothos , allowing the dirt to completely dry out before lacrimation again .
As a general regulation of thumb , water cacti every two to three weeks , depending on temperature and sunlight levels . The hotter and drier it is , the more often you should water . Once summer end and the plant are n’t actively mature , you could trim back back on this job .
likewise to other cacti plants , prickly pears prefer ironical , warm atmospheric condition . While they are cold - hardy and can survive temperatures above 14 degrees Fahrenheit , they will rise large in fond temperatures . Also , they wo n’t do well inhumid locationsbecause of the add together moisture , so it ’s safe to keep them in aliving roomorbedroom .
Propagating Prickly Pear Cactus
Image credits : Luoxi via Shutterstock
Prickly pear cacti are very promiscuous topropagatethrough press clipping . This style , you could apportion with supporter , flourish your houseplant collection , create a fuller slew , or even sell baby cacti ! It ’s best to take cuttings when temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer at Nox to insure the plants can convalesce . The plant should also be sizeable and above six months sometime .
Wearing protective gloves and using asharp , cleanpair ofpruning shears , cut a domiciliation at its natural seam from the parent ( original ) plant . Place the cutting on a monotonous Earth’s surface in filtered sunlight and take into account it to sit for seven to 10 days so a callus can form on the au naturel edge .
Planting The Cutting
Then , place the ignore edge of the cut in prepared cactus dirt or arise medium in a good deal with adrainage gob . Push about a third of the cutting into the dirt and use belittled stones to hold it erect .
When nighttime temperatures are above 60 point Fahrenheit , water weekly . If the temperatures drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit at Nox , change over your tearing schedule to every two weeks . Also , if the cacti farewell becomes very sparse or wrinkly , it ’s time to give your plants a drink .
Keep the works in filtered light until it start to put out new increase . Then you may move it to a full sunshine localization . You canrepotinto a large container after the cactus has been grow for a twelvemonth .
take down : Prickly pear cactus flora generally take about three to four days to set out blossom and producing yield . The plants can grow flowers and fruits indoors and alfresco as long as they receive optimum condition .
Grow On!
Prickly pear cacti are classic low - alimony plant , but they are certain to tally sweetheart wherever you place them in your home plate ! recall to avoid overwatering and keep them out of humid location . When it comes to temperatures , the plant prefer things warm , but they will subsist in cooler consideration . On top of all that , it ’s super easy to slit off a pad , replant it , and start a Modern cactus flora !
