The Opuntia is not a special plant but a genus that includes around 190 different species. Opuntias are part of the cactus family. They bear fine or strong spines and edible fruits.
Opuntias do not like calcareous water
Plant opuntias
Opuntias need a relatively large amount of space because, depending on the species, they can grow up to six meters high. The soil should be dry, loose and rather lean. Plant your Opuntia in cactus soil or a mixture of soil, sand and peat or coir.
Pour and fertilize opuntias properly
Opuntias do not tolerate calcareous water. Therefore, it is best to water the plants with rainwater. However, stale or filtered or naturally soft tap water is also suitable. The amount depends heavily on the weather.
Water only once a month in wet weather, up to twice a week in dry and hot weather. From May to September, occasionally add a little liquid or cactus fertilizer to the irrigation water. It is better to keep the quantity too small than too plentiful, Opuntias are very frugal.
multiply opuntias
If you would like to call many opuntias your own, then it does not have to cost a lot of money. Propagation is possible both by sowing and cuttings. Prune your opuntia that has become too large, then grow new plants from the segments that have been cut off.
Opuntias in winter
In the short term, the opuntias even tolerate frost. In the long run, however, the temperatures during hibernation should be between 0 °C and 6 °C, because permafrost weakens the plant. Ventilate regularly to prevent disease and pest infestation. Water your opuntias only drop by drop when the substrate dries more. Slowly acclimate the plants to rising temperatures in spring.
The essentials in brief:
- easy to care for and frugal
- water rather little, if the drought persists, a little more
- fertilize sparingly, only in summer
- Fruits are edible
- no regular pruning required
- Propagation by seeds or cut segments
- hibernate cool
tips
Opuntias are very decorative cactus plants with edible fruits that are even said to have medicinal properties. They only need small amounts of water and fertilizer.