If you ’re a cactus fan with an eye for the unique , then the Opuntia turpinii is sure to capture your heart . With its pinecone - like show and cylindrical stems , this oddball in the cactus family has a offbeat charm that instantly cast you in . From its thick , chocolate-brown pinecone inking pad to the tiny white flowers that bloom in summertime , the Opuntia turpinii is a true showstopper . Let ’s dive into what make up this peculiar plant life so bewitch .
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About Opuntia turpinii
The pinecone cactus , as it ’s affectionately known , is a unaired cousin-german to the Graeco-Roman prickly pear opuntia but with a distinctly dissimilar feeling . Its thick , brown stem resembling pinecones grow in cluster , rove from 2 in to 2 feet long and about 1.5 inches all-encompassing . Despite the cactus ’ spiky appearance , it ’s nearly wishy-washy with just a few small glochid ( those pesky short prickles ) . In summer , bloodless flower blossom from the tips of the pinecone pad , add together to its unequaled charm .
Related Post:195 Opuntia Varieties [ With Pictures ]
How to Care for Opuntia turpinii
Light
Like any good cactus , Opuntia turpinii craves lots of bright , directsunlight . An exposed terrace or cheery windowsill is the idealistic spot . During scorching summer 24-hour interval , offer some afternoon ghost to preclude burn . If growing indoors , use a grow lightsituated just 6 - 12 column inch away for 12 - 14 hours per day .
Watering
Ah , the joys of an extremist drouth - broad plant ! The pinecone cactus can go weeks without water . When the filth is bone ironic , give it a good soaking , waiting for the excess to drain completely . urine about every 1 - 2 weeks in bounce through nightfall , and monthly in wintertime . Use rainwater if possible to invalidate mineral buildup .
Just be careful not to mist or spatter the pinecone pads directly – water on the stems can head to molder . verbalise of rot , always assure the pot has drain holes to prevent soggy soil .
Soil
This athirst flora like its soil very well - draining and oxygenate . Acactus / succulent potting mixblended with 50 % extra perlite or coarse sand is ideal . summate some compost or dirt ball casting for nutrient . The finish is fast - drain yet wet - retain soil .
take a container with drainage hole and practice an unglazed terracotta tidy sum if potential – it will wick away excess moisture . Go just one size up when repotting to debar excess dirt . And repot in bound or pass while the plant life is still dormant .
Fertilizer
When those pinecone stems start poking out raw growing in springtime , that ’s the pool cue to practice abalanced fertilizerevery 4 - 6 week until fall . Too much fertiliser can have combust , so go thinly . No alimentation is call for over wintertime .
Temperature and Humidity
With its origin in raging , arid regions , Opuntia turpinii flourish in warm temps from 65 - 95 ° atomic number 9 . Anything below 50 ° F can trigger dormancy . Keep humidity crushed – too much moisture in the melodic line increases disease risk of exposure .
Pests and Diseases
The pinecone cactus does n’t attract manycritters , butwatch outfor mealybugs , spider mites , and fungi like anthracnose or stem rot in overly moist conditions . Prune out any morbid sections quickly .
Pruning
There ’s near nopruningneeded other than withdraw any dead or damaged pinecone launch pad . And have no fearfulness if a pad fall out to fall down off – this is the pinecone cactus ’s way of ego - circularize !
How to Propagate Opuntia turpinii
Speaking ofpropagation , reproducing this unequaled guy is a cinch :
With its whimsical form and easy fear , the pinecone cactus stimulate an offbeat yet down in the mouth - maintenance addition to your plant collection . Grab one of these wacky wonders and savour its striking one - of - a - kind peach !
