Opuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Engelm. - Opuntia

Family: Cactaceae

Pot Diameter: 5.5 cm

It is a female plant with a stylized habit. It has a glossy green stem with large spots, on which there are small, soft white areoles with almost transparent spines. Flowering occurs during the summer period, producing pink flowers that, unlike other varieties, have the peculiarity of not opening completely.

Care: It prefers full sunlight in airy spaces. It is best to keep it at mild temperatures and never below 3 °C, so protection during winter is recommended. Watering should be moderate and only when the soil is completely dry. It is sufficient to water once a week in spring and summer, reduce to once every two months in autumn, and stop completely in winter. The best soil is well-draining, suitable if enriched with inert materials such as stone, sand, or lapilli. Frequent fertilization is not necessary; it is sufficient to dilute the fertilizer with watering once a year.