Martin's Blunt-spine Prickly-pear

Martin's Blunt-spine Prickly-pear Care

Opuntia Macrocentra

What is the plant

This large cactus shrub spreads out wide before growing tall, adding color to an outdoor garden. It has large, green pads with purple stems. When happily stressed, the pads can turn a purple color, too. Watch for reddish flowers in the Spring.Opuntia macrocentra “Black-spined Pricklypear” is an excellent rock gardens and xeriscaped yards. It is deer-resistant, and its flowers attract hummingbirds.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Hardiness zone

6 - 11

Difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Prickly pear likes dry conditions, and very little watering is required to maintain the plant. This is why the cactus is often used in low-water gardens. Limit your watering to every two to three weeks or when the soil is completely dry. When watering, simply moisten and don't soak the soil. If you get minimal rainfall, that's often all the plant need
Pruning
It’s not necessary to prune prickly pears, but they can be cut back. Remove individual pads as needed to maintain shape and size. Use tongs to hold the pad and a sharp knife to cut it off at the joint, or line where it connects to the next pad. Pads can be calloused off to be planted elsewhere or shared with friends.
Fertilizer
Prickly pear rarely needs fertilizer when planted in the ground unless you have very poor soil. In containers, it will use up the soil’s nutrients faster. If the plant’s green pads start to appear dull or it doesn’t flower, that can mean it needs food. You can apply a balanced fertilizer during the growing season, following product instructions. You also can choose a high-nitrogen fertilizer for larger pads or a low-nitrogen fertilizer for more flowers and fruits.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
As a desert cactus, prickly pear prefers full sun to thrive. That means at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Indoors, a west- or south-facing window works best.
Soil
The most important requirement for any plant in the Opuntia genus is soil that drains well. Prickly pear easily grows in sandy or gravelly soil, but it can tolerate other soil types as long as there's good drainage.
Temperature
Prickly pear cactus thrives in hot, dry desert summers. But many of its species have good cold tolerance. (Remember, desert nights can be cool.) It generally does well in regions that have mild winters and hot summers with low humidity. Prickly pear can struggle in areas that have very high humidity, even if the temperature is to the plant's liking. Typical indoor temperatures and humidity levels are usually fine for prickly pear. However, keep the plant away from heat and air-conditioning sources, as they can cause extreme temperature fluctuations.