Opuntia aciculatais a highly decorative cactus , often grow in gardens for its attractive flower and launch pad .
Opuntia aciculataGriffiths
Chenille Pricklypear , Old Man ’s Whiskers , Cowboy ’s Red Whiskers
Yellow flower. In habitat, Webb County, Texas, United States. Photo byAd Konings. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Opuntia engelmanniivar.aciculata , Opuntia engelmanniisubsp.aciculata , Opuntia lindheimerivar.aciculata
Family : CactaceaeSubfamily : OpuntioideaeTribe : OpuntieaeGenus : Opuntia
The specific epithet " aciculata " ( pronounced ass - sik - yoo - LAY - ta ) stand for " furnished with or composed of aciculae ; marked with okay irregular streaks like phonograph needle scratches " and refers to the conspicuous glochids on the theme segment of this mintage .
Flower buds. In habitat, Webb County, Texas, United States. Photo byAd Konings. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
The native range ofOpuntia aciculatais along the Rio Grande in Webb County in Texas , United States , and northernMexico(Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas ) . It mature in dry hills , mainly on stony outcrops , often in little colonies .
Opuntia aciculata , also get laid asOpuntia engelmanniisubsp.aciculata , is a somewhat upright or spreadingshrubwith limb that consists of jointed bland , deep gullible digs with characteristic widely spacedglochidsradiating like star or pincushion . This cactus can grow up to 3.3 foot ( 1 m ) tall and fan out to 6.6 foot ( 2 m ) in diameter , form hemispherical mounds . The bow section are subcircular toobovate , measuring up to 8 column inch ( 20 cm ) foresighted and 4 inch ( 10 centimeter ) astray . The spines are commonly absent or evenly administer , with 1 to 3 perareole . They are straight , yellow or dark-brown , lean yellow or mottled brown , and can grow up to 2 inches ( 5 curium ) long . The glochidium are sick to deep red - brown , sometimes with a yellow lead , measuring up to 0.3 inch ( 0.8 cm ) long .
From mid - spring to other summer , Opuntia aciculataproduces large efflorescence roll from yellow to orange or deep ruddy ( rarely Battle of Magenta ) . The prime appear on the upper last gross profit margin of pad and can reach a diam of 3.6 inches ( 9 cm ) . The eatable fruit are violet ruby-red , invertebrate , usually pear - shaped , and can acquire up to 1.5 inches ( 3.8 curium ) retentive and 1 column inch ( 2.5 atomic number 96 ) in diameter .
Red flowers. In habitat, Victoria Municipality, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Photo bysergioniebla. Licensed underCC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
light source : Opuntia aciculatathrives in full sun , but some shade during midday and afternoon can forbid sunburn in hot climate . A window that get sunshine 6 hours a day work best when grow indoors .
Soil : This cactus require a well - draining stain mixture . you could employ a commercial cactus potting mix orcreate your own .
Temperature : Opuntia aciculatais highly large-minded of gamey temperaturesandprefers cooler temperature in wintertime . It grows good inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones8a to 10b , with average minimum wintertime temperatures range from 10 to 40 ° F ( -12.2 to 4.4 ° C ) .
Fruit. In habitat, Webb County, Texas, United States. Photo byAd Konings. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Watering : From saltation to fall , urine moderately and let the filth dry out completely before watering again . In most area , rainfall will be enough for naturalized plant . If pot , never let the container sit in water . During the winter , suspend thewatering .
Fertilizing : Opuntia aciculatadoes not need fertiliser when planted in the background . However , it will do good from fertilizing during the growing season when grown in a container . hold a urine - soluble fertilizer . Suspend feed during the wintertime when the flora go dormant .
Repotting : Repot only when the cactus becomes rootbound or is too large and unstable in its container . Choose a slimly larger container with drainage fix at the bottom . The best time for repotting is late winter or other spring .
Propagation : you may propagateOpuntia aciculataby stem segments or seeds . The well-off method acting is by prow section , which give faster outcome . Take stem segments in early summertime for dear results , and sow the seeds in tardy fountain .
Learn more atHow to Grow and Care for Opuntia .
Opuntia aciculatais not toxic to humans or pets . However , keep the works away from pets and children as it has harmful spines and glochid that may cause skin provocation .
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