Opuntia rufida ‘Desert Gem’
blind prickly pear
Polka-dot or bunny-ears cactus develops into a shrubby prickly-pear. Yellow flowers tint orange as they mature. Hairlike glochids sting and stick.
 Altura | 2–3 |
|---|---|
 Ancho | 3–6 |
 Tolera | Sequía, Calor, Macetas, Viento |
 Riego | Bajo |
Opuntia are extremely drought-tolerant, which means that no additional water should be needed once the plant is established. Newer plants might show that they are thirsty when their leaves begin to shrivel. If this happens, give them a bit of water; otherwise they might start to drop their paddles. Often these shed paddles will root and grow once rain comes. To keep your opuntia plump and lush-looking, water it every two or three weeks during the summer. Opuntias prefer good drainage, but they are tolerant of a wide range of soils. | |
 Resiste hasta | 25 °F |
 Exposición | Pleno sol |
 Características | Con espinas, Cactus, Escultural |
 Interior / exterior | Exterior |
 Drenaje | En el suelo: mezcla para cactus, En maceta: mezcla para cactus, Tolera suelo arenoso |
 Fertilización | Uso general, Necesita poco |
 Origen | Texas, EE. UU. |
 Nativa de California | No |
 Zonas Sunset | 12–24 |
Notas de cultivo
These smaller Opuntias tend to be more "bushy," filling in low and growing without a central stem.
Opuntias can easily be propagated by laying a paddle on its side atop a fast-draining soil mix.
Even if your opuntia looks especially soft and cuddly, RESIST PETTING IT! Opuntias have spines called glochids that look soft to the human eye, but they're actually clusters of very annoying cactus spines that are difficult to remove. If you ever end up having a light brush with your cactus, patting the affected skin with masking tape can help; if the problem is severe, cover the affected area with wood glue, let it dry and then peel it off.
Esta información refleja las observaciones de Grubb and Nadler y de nuestra comunidad de amantes de las plantas. Siempre tomamos en cuenta las aportaciones de otros horticultores y agradecemos los comentarios de quienes tengan más información sobre el cultivo de esta planta.
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