in ,

Genus Opuntia

Opuntia microdasys
Opuntia microdasys

The Genus Opuntia, is shrub or arboreal plants, large size.

This genus has more than 300 species and all of them are from America, from the north of the United States (Utah and Nebrasca), to Patagonia.

Opuntia microdasys
Opuntia microdasys

Its habitat, goes from sea level, to 3,000 meters of altitude.

They enter Europe from the sixteenth century and repopulate arid areas. From here they pass to similar areas of Europe and Africa, South of Italy and North of Africa.

Such has been its acclimatization, which in the Canary Islands and south of the Iberian Peninsula, are classified as invasive species.

The most famous is the opuntia ficus-indica or prickly pear, since these give an edible fruit or prickly pear, tasty and well-known, that even give rise to juices or beers with their fruits.

Nopal, Tuna or Prickly Pears
Known as Nopal, Tuna or Prickly Pears

Also its fruits, prickly pears or figs, allow an industry of natural dyes from the woodlice that dwell in their stems or shovels.

Types of Opuntias

Description of Genus Opuntia.

Opuntias are a broad genus of cactus that is characterized by growing through segments,cladodes or “blades” and by the presence of glochids in the areolas. The segments are authentic stems with the ability to produce new branches (shovels), leaves and flowers. 

The leaves, when they exist, are very small and disappear when the shovel grows. The gloquidia are tiny thorns that are born in the areolas.

The sizes of opuntias are very varied with small, shrubby, amatorradas species and even with arboreal size of considerable size.

Approximately 250 opuntias are known, all of them originating in America. They live from sea level up to about 3000 meters high.

 In Europe they have been known since the return of the first conquerors and several species have become naturalized in such a way that today they are considered invasive.In the Canary Islands, the first non-American territory where the tuneras were planted, there are at least two species that are classified as invasive and others that are on the edges of roads or associated with terreras. 

Among the first ones we find the well-known and appreciated tunera or prickly pear cactus, the one that produces the extremely tasty figs and also the source of an industry of obtaining natural colorants from the pillbugs that are cultivated in their stems or shovels.

The flowers of opuntias are usually large, usually yellow and very open, although they can be orange, red and even purple.
The flowers of opuntias are usually large, usually yellow and very open, although they can be orange, red and even purple.

If we look closely, we observe that there are two prickly pears that show similar morphotypes but with certain characteristics that differentiate them. In both plants the shovels measure between 30-50 cm and the spines are small and few, reaching to disappear in the adult blades. They can reach 3-4 meters in height. However, we do find differences in the color of the flower and the tone of the blades.

 One of them has a yellow flower and some bluish blades while another produces orange flowers and the blades are greenish. 

Traditionally the tunera, extended also by the Mediterranean countries, was determined as Opuntia ficus-indica although in the work“Flora iberica and the Balearic Islands” consider the most appropriate Opuntia maxima.

In the diagnosis of the species the authors point out the differences that we have already mentioned and cite the proposal of some experts to separate the species of yellow flower and few thorns such as Opuntia ficus-barbarica and the species with orange flower and more thorns such as Opuntia maxima . At the moment, the criterion for the determination of the species or species is subject to controversy

Another tunera naturalized in the islands, considered invasive, is the Indian tunera Opuntia dillenii.

This species has shovels smaller than common tunera, between 20-30 cm, and arbors with 6-8 strong spines. Erect bearing of up to 2 meters. In addition to these morphological peculiarities, the Indian tunera is characterized by the red color of the fruit pulp. The Indian tunera grows in all the coastal belt of the islands being rare above 300 meters.

The fruit

The fruit is a berry covered in areolae with small and strong spines and can be of different colors, such as purple, white, yellow, red, orange, etc.

The flesh is usually carmine, yellow or white with a pleasant and sweet flavor, well ripe.

How to grow Opuntias

These plants are one of the best options when looking for plants capable of resisting drought. Although the size they can reach is more recommended to have them in the garden, we will also see how they are cared for in a pot.

In the garden

For you to have healthy opuntias, it is necessary that they have enough space for them to grow, and above all, they should give a lot of light , if possible throughout the day. They are very grateful, to the point that they can be planted in all types of soils, even in limestone, provided that during the first year they are watered once a week so that their root system adapts to the weather conditions.

In pot

 

These plants are one of the best options when looking for plants capable of resisting drought. Although the size they can reach is more recommended to have them in the garden, we will also see how they are cared for in a pot.

In the garden

For you to have healthy opuntias, it is necessary that they have enough space for them to grow, and above all, they should give a lot of light , if possible throughout the day. They are very grateful, to the point that they can be planted in all types of soils, even in limestone, provided that during the first year they are watered once a week so that their root system adapts to the weather conditions.

In pot

If you want to have it in a pot, I recommend you use a substrate that has good drainage, such as peat and pearlite mixed in equal parts for example. It is also important that you get the sun directly , and that you water twice a week during the summer and every 10 days the rest of the year.

Another issue that we can not forget is the transplant, which has to be done every spring. Do not you know how it’s done? Do not worry, we teach you:

  1. The first thing you have to do is put on some gloves (better if they are rubber).
  2. Then, and very carefully, place the cactus lying  on a flat surface.
  3. Now, take it by the base of the pot, and tap on both sides to let the cactus come out.
  4. When it is half a root ball outside, you can remove the pot .
  5. Then, you have to fill a little your new pot-it must be about 5cm wider-with porous substrate.
  6. Carefully pick the cactus by the root ball, and introduce it into your new pot .
  7. Finally, you have to finish filling it, and watering .
  8. Ready! Place your cactus in a very bright area , and continue watering it every 10 days until summer arrives.

Plagues and diseases

 

Although it is a very resistant plant, able to naturalize if the conditions are right, sometimes an error in the crop can cause it to be affected by mealybugs , especially those that are cottony, that can be treated with paraffin oil, or Remove with a cotton swab moistened with soap and water.

On the other hand, the Phytophthora fungi can seriously harm you if you water excessively, making the trunk soften and rot, and the plant look limp. For this reason, it is very important to avoid excess irrigation, as unfortunately the fungi are microorganisms that are very difficult to eradicate. In fact, when we talk about cactus, what we usually do is cut for the sake of it and plant it as a cut in a pot with very porous substrate (like river sand) until it starts to grow.

And speaking of cuttings, how do these cactuses reproduce?

Reproduction of Opuntia

 

They can be reproduced by seeds in summer or, as we have seen, by cuttings. How to proceed in each case?

By seeds

The fruits of these cactus ripen towards the end of summer, at which time we can take advantage to eat … sorry, to extract their seeds and plant them, yes. The seeds are small, less than 2cm in diameter, light brown in color, and have an oval shape. Once extracted, you have to clean them well, so you can put them in a colander, and put it under the tap so that the water is responsible for leaving them untouched.

Then, you have to fill a pot of no more than 20cm in diameter with porous substrate. Being an off-road cactus, it will be enough to mix black peat with pearlite in equal parts , and place a maximum of 5 seeds. Then it will only be a question of watering, and of placing the seedbed in an area where it will be directly exposed to sunlight.

The first will germinate in one or two weeks.

 

By cuttings

These plants reproduce very easily by “leaf” cuttings (segments). The ideal time for this is mid-spring , when temperatures start to rise. It is done as follows:

  1. With a hand saw, cut the segment that you like, from as close as you can to the stem or trunk.
  2. Next, fill a 20-30cm diameter pot (depending on how large the segment is) with river sand or similar substrate.
  3. Next, plant the cutting right in the center.
  4. Irrigates .
  5. Finally, place the pot in an area that is very well lit , but protected from the direct sun.

It will begin to take root very soon, after 10-15 days .

Robust opuntia

 

 

 

 

 

 

Facts

 

On the other hand, young stems are used in gastronomy in the so-called salads of nopales or nopalitos. It is good for the treatment of diabetes.

The fruits, figs, pears, prickly pears or prickly pears are edible, sweet and tasty. They are also used for juices, sauces, ice cream and seasoning.

If you have them close to home lots of prickly pears or prickly pears, you can make a delicious jam

 

Medicinal properties.

Also as a medicinal plant, in the form of an infusion and as we have anticipated, it reduces the amount of glucose, sugar in the blood and therefore is healthy against diabetes.

Opuntia ficus indica flower. Chumbera
Opuntia ficus indica flower. Chumbera

It has the property of reducing cholesterol and is used in the treatment of arteriosclerosis. Aprota benefits as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-ulcer.

The segments, once heated in the oven, are used as emollients , as a poultice. It is also used to improve digestion, diarrhea and even ulcers .

They have vitamins, A, C, K, B2 and B6, as well as minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, copper and iron.

It contains a lot of fiber, cellulose and lignin.

cactus with flower

Cactus characteristics , types and other facts

Nopal, Tuna or Prickly Pears

Opuntia ficus indica Mill also known as prickly pear