Hey cactus lovers ! Have you heard about the unsung hero of the desert plant life world – the Opuntia scheeri ? This spiky succulent may be a lesser - known cousin of the celebrated barbellate pear , but it ’s a total showstopper that merit a place in your garden . Get ready to be wowed by its golden glow and stunning color transformations !
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About Opuntia scheeri
aboriginal to the desiccate regions of Mexico , this racy cactus is a master of survival in rough desert environments . progress to telling top of up to 5 foot tall and pass around over 4 foot wide , it ’s a lawful desert giant . The 2-dimensional , fleshy launchpad are adorned with a multitude of tiny but mighty yellow pricker that give the whole flora a refulgent , gilt sheen .
But the real magic happens when the frail salmon - pink bloom start to bloom in late outpouring . As they unfurl into vivacious white-livered cup - shape blossom , it ’s like witnessing a coloured desert sundown decently in your backyard ! These beauty eventually give way to petite pink - purple prickly fruits that add another lifelike popping of color .
Cold - unfearing and drouth - resistant , the Opuntia scheeri can address freezing temperatures down to a frosty 1 ° fluorine without skip a pulsation . It ’s a true desert warrior that will thrive in your garden with very little alimony required .
Related Post:195 Opuntia Varieties [ With Pictures ]
How to Care for Opuntia scheeri
Light
Thesesun - worshipperscrave as much lineal Light Within as possible . Find a nice sunny spot in your garden or on a patio , and your Opuntia will be one glad camper . If mature indoors , add on with astrong get lightto mimic those desert Sunday rays . If things get really scorching in summertime , give your outdoor Opuntia a bit of afternoon shade to prevent sunburn .
Water
Forget being a helicopter industrial plant parent – the Opuntia scheeri is the perfect plant life for those with accidentally neglectful watering wont . During spring , summer and fall , give it a nice drinkable about once or twice a week to keep the soil slightly moist . In wintertime , cut back to watering just once a calendar week to prevent the roots from sustain too sluggish .
Soil
This cactus likes its soil on the mealy , well - draining side . A cactus / succulent potting mix amend with superfluous perlite or coarse grit work wonderfully . Mixing in some compost will give your prickly sidekick an extra alimental boost . Aim for aslightly acidic to slightly alkaline soilpH between 6.1 to 7.8 to mimic the Opuntia ’s aboriginal experimental condition . The right ground pH helps the plant properly absorb nutrients from the territory .
Fertilizer
Go easy on the plant intellectual nourishment for this blue - key beauty . Abalanced fluid fertilizeronce a calendar month during spring and summertime is plenty . you may bound off fertilizing in fall and winter when outgrowth slow down .
Temperature & Humidity
Hailing from desert habitat , the Opuntia scheeri loves rut but hates humidity . It can handlefreezing temps and snowwithout a problem , but gamey humidity is a no - go that can conduct to rot . Provide skillful tune circulation around your plant .
Pests and Problems
Typicalcactus pestslike mealybugs or wanderer mites can occasionally becomeunwanted Edgar Albert Guest , but the Opuntia scheeri has reasonably just resistance overall . Just keep an middle out for any shady spots or webbing . Rot from overwatering is the fully grown threat .
Pruning
Very minimalpruningis needed for this humbled - alimony marvel . Just snip off any dead or damaged pads to keep it tidy .
Potting and Repotting
A uncompromising , fast - drain commode is ideal for container - grow Opuntias . You ’ll onlyneed to repotevery 2 - 3 years when it outgrow its current gibe . Take care when address these beauties – those spines may be small but pack a prickly punch !
How to Propagate Opuntia scheeri
One of the coolest thing about the Opuntia scheeri is how easygoing it is to get more plants from a single specimen . you could disunite large plant or take pad thinning to grow novel plants . Here ’s how :
With its broken - fuss care requirements and power to thrive in hot , dry climate , the Opuntia scheeri makes an excellent add-on to drought - liberal garden . Just be careful when address this thorny customer ! Those glochidium spines may be little but pack a powerful punch . Overall , if you want a unique , come across desert plant that ’s tougher than John Wayne , the unvalued Opuntia scheeri merit a smear in your cactus squad !
