Miqueliopuntia miquelii Cactus Plant

Family

Opuntia

Native

Northern Chile

Description

Miqueliopuntia plants consist of cylindrical, jointed stem segments with prominent tubercles. Areoles occur at the top of each tubercle and have many glochids. Spines in habitat are numerous and shaggy reaching about 3 inches (8cm) and give the plants an untidy appearance. 

Flowers arise from thick, fleshy floral tubes which closely resemble the stem segments. The flowers may be pink or yellowish green/almost white and are cup shaped. Fruits are globular and heavily armed with spines and/or glochids.

Environment

Demands full light growing for most of the year, except during the winter cycle. For the plant's health, light should be reduced to partial sun during this time.

Opuntia is a desert species . Water the plant when the top one inch of soil is dry. Allow the water to drain out of the pot and remove any excess from the saucer. During fall and winter, water lightly only every 2- 3 weeks. Like most cacti, this specimen demands sandy soil-bases that drain easily

Feed Cactus monthly with low nitrogen fertilizer but it should stop one month before the planned winter cycle for the plant's health.

Landscape Uses

It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small.