Like most other cacti , the waspish pear cactus isrelatively well-situated to care for . Their stale tolerance and love of dry conditions makes them appealing for not only indoor gardeners but out-of-door gardeners in many unlike climate . The prickly pear cactus most commonly feature flat dark-green paddles with a puritanic tint . They ’re covered in thorn ( sometimes large , sometimes diminished ) and bloom yellow peak around the mid - summer season . Depending on where you go and the miscellany you grow , there ’s potential to have the briary pear cactus as an outdoor garden or container plant .
The varieties of prickly pear cactus
Prickly pear ( Opuntia ficus - indica ) and Eastern prickly pear ( Opuntia compressa ) are two of the mutual varieties you may rule . That say , there are over 40 specie of prickly pear cactus that you’re able to get your hands on depending on where you live . Most variety have larger spines while some have ones that resemble hair and will easily detach into your skin . Avoid touch at all costs , and cover every cactus with care .
Most diverseness of the splenetic Pyrus communis cactus have eatable yield , which can vary in both form and size . Some multifariousness , like the easterly bristly pear , are small in size and add themselves best to houseplants . Others , like the desert prickly pear , can grow up to 15 foot and may be comfortably grown in climate where they can prosper in an outdoor garden .
Although many prickly pears have the well - known unripe / gentle tint to the paddles , some of them can have unlike hues . Chances are you ’ve seen a royal cactus float about that looks almost identical to the burred pear aside from colour . That ’s because it ’s an Opuntia macrocentra ( or purple setose Pyrus communis ) . Also known as black sticker prickly pear and redeye prickly pear , the coloring of this variety is deepen during droughts . better of all , the yield of the purple cactus is still edible ! So do n’t let the vibrant food colouring be a deterrent .
Why grow a prickly pear?
Perhaps the best part of growing a waspish pear cactus , other than its challenging appearance , is the edible fruit it grows . The fruits of these cacti are a democratic snack in Mexico and the Southwestern United States . Growing any variety of thorny pear cactus in your habitation means you ’ll have a chance to enjoy the fruits , once grown , as candies , jam , jelly , collation , and anything else you could cogitate to do with them !
It ’s significant to take down that the growing charge per unit of prickly pear cacti is ho-hum , and it can take at least three or four age before a plant starts to fruit . If you purchase one from a glasshouse and it is n’t growing fruit within the year , that does n’t mean it never will . It just call for some love and patience .
Caring for your prickly pear cactus
Prickly pear cacti diversity are standardized across the dining table when it comes to care requirements . The only affair you need to keep in mind is the temperature they prefer and the amount of cold tolerance they have . As with any flora , it ’s important to familiarize yourself with the variety you own to best recognize what it needs .
Generally speaking , prickly pear cacti do n’t need much fertilizer when they ’re set in the dirt unless it ’s lacking nutrients ; however , like all houseplants , they ’ll relish a just eating once in a while during the arise season when in containers . Make certain to research a proficient plant food for barbellate pear cacti before picking one off the shelf , that way it gets the correct amount of nutrients needed to grow and thrive .
Light needs : At least six hours of direct sunlight per day ( south- or Mae West - facing window is opt when grown indoors)Water indigence : Water only when grunge is entirely dry ; prefers low - water conditions , so land should only be dampen — not soaked — when wateringSoil needs : Well - draining , sandy soil is prefer , but a cactus mix will do well
Temperature requirements for your prickly pear cactus
The temperatures that the prickly pear cactus can live in are entirely dependent on the variety . Because the Eastern barbellate pear cactus is a common variety show , you have to be aware of which one you ’re growing to have intercourse how warm they like to be . The Eastern burry pear , for example , is a more insensate - hardy miscellany that can fly high in USDA geographical zone 4 through 9 . It can endure temperature down to 14 point Fahrenheit , but will thrive substantially when kept in lovesome atmospheric condition .
Although other variety of thorny pear have good cold allowance as well , they ca n’t resist the same utmost cold as the Eastern prickly pear . Desert nights can be nerveless , so some hardihood is expected . But in ecumenical , most variety of briary pear tree will do well in ardent spaces .
Can the prickly pear be propagated?
dead ! Most varieties of the prickly pear tree cactus can be propagated one of two ways : by source or by cuttings . So if you have one that you love — like the purple cactus — and want to share with friends and family ( or just have more for yourself ) , propagation is a cracking way to go .
By seed
Because prickly pear cacti spring up fruit , propagating by seed is as easy as cutting open a ripe one , removing the seeds , and washing off the flesh . Let the seeds dry overnight , then sprinkle onto a pot of wash , well - draining grease . Cover them with a slender layer of the potting mix you used , place clear plastic wrapper over the top , and keep the container in a fond spot to further germination ( which can take week or even months ) .
By cuttings
Propagating prickly pear cacti by press clipping is perhaps a more coarse way , since cuttings are often the main descriptor of propagation for many species of cacti . Take a pair of sterilized scissors or shear , cut a few domiciliation from the parent plant where they connect at the lymph gland ( never slice a pad in half ) , then let the cutting stop callous over . Once bring around , you’re able to lay the shortened side of the pad into a pot with dry soil , contain off on watering until you start to see some fresh growing .
Prickly pear cacti are unique , easy to grow , and quite cute ! Because of the sheer number of different varieties , you have a cracking selection to take from when considering which one to impart to your houseplant solicitation .
