The Opuntia pilifera is one bizarre - count cactus ! Native to central Mexico , this bristled character is covered in a wild snarl of spines and fuzzed , gray - green pads . It ’s an oddball for sure , but dig a little deeper and you ’ll find some fairly coolheaded trait that make the Opuntia pilifera a unique desert marvel . From its spiky defenses to its red-hot pink flowers , this Mexican cactus is full of surprise . allow ’s take a closer spirit at how to care for this quirky , spine - tingled works .
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About Opuntia pilifera
Native to parts of central Mexico , the Opuntia pilifera blend in by some hilarious local nicknames like “ piaviachi ” , “ cocoche loco ” ( crazy cocoon ) , and “ Opuntia lindheimeri crinado ” ( hairy prickly pear ) . And those name calling are spot on !
This cactus has a offbeat growth habit , developing a brown , tree diagram - like trunk and branches covered in flat , green - grey launchpad . The pads are perfectly brood in teeny white spines that give the whole flora a fuzzy coming into court . To top it off , bright pinkish flowers burst out from the tips in blooming season . Talk about a showstopper !
Related Post:195 Opuntia Varieties [ With Pictures ]
How to Care for Opuntia pilifera
Light
Like most cacti , the Opuntia pilifera expand in direct sunniness . Lots and mickle of it ! Plant yours in an open , sunny spotlike a garden or balcony where it can savour for hours . During summer ’s crown heating , you may desire to give it a piddling good afternoon shade to prevent erythema solare .
If prevent indoors , position it justly in a bright , sunny window . Oruse a grow light , leaving it on for 12 - 14 hour per day , hold sure to position the light just 6 - 12 inches aside from the cactus .
Water
Opuntia pilifera like its grease on the drier side , just like other cactus metal money . Go easy on the watering can – these guys are way more likely to moulder from overwatering than get thirsty !
In spring , summer and fall , give your cactus a weekly or bi - weekly soak , until excess starts draining out the bottom . get the soil dry out out wholly before water again . Switch to monthly watering in winter when maturation slows .
Always utilize sink in or rainwater if possible , as pat water can make the filth too piquant over time . And be careful not to splash that blurred stem – wet fuzz tends to rot .
Soil
Your Mexican hairy crony lust a well - draining , gravelly begrime mixwith lots of flow of air . A perfect blend is 2 part vermiculite ( for line circulation ) , 2 parts coarse sand , and 1 part coco coir or peat moss . you may tot a sprinkle of vermicompost for extra food .
Fluff and loosen the soil annually to preclude compaction . And supervise that drainage – if weewee is n’t rapidly flowing through the territory , it ’s too dumb .
Fertilizer
A gentle , dilutedcactus fertilizerevery 4 - 6 week in spring through fall will give Opuntia pilifera an add boost . calculate for low - atomic number 7 plant food with more morning star and potassium for bloom and pad growth .
Avoid fertilize in wintertime when the plant is dormant . And mind of over - fertilizing – if new increment at the base slow down or plough chickenhearted , that ’s a sign to still off the feed .
Temperature and Humidity
red-hot and juiceless , just how Opuntia pilifera likes it ! Daytime temperatures between 68 ° F and 95 ° F with down humidity are ideal . Avoid allow temporary worker drop below 50 ° F or humidness uprise too high . beneficial airflow is a must .
Pests and Problems
Keep an eye out forcommoncactus pestslike spider mites , mealybugs and aphid which can produce webbing , distorted emergence and yellowing pads . Anthracnose ( turbinate disgraceful spotting ) , rot diseases , and gnawer can also afflict this cactus .
Pruning
Since Opuntia pilifera naturally stop outward maturation at a moderate size , pruningis super slow . Just prune off any dead or damaged pads or offshoot as needed .
Potting and Repotting
For indoor plants , use a breathable clay can not too small or too gravid . Repot annuallyin spring or fall , refreshing the soil and giving the radical way to spread .
How to Propagate Opuntia pilifera
Opuntia pilifera is a fecund disseminator by cuttings ! Here ’s how to grow a newfangled industrial plant from a tablet :
So what are you look for ? sum some spiky Mexican magic to your plant collection with the centre - catching , sun - love Opuntia pilifera . Those wild fuzzy pads and pink flush are guaranteed to turn head !
