Content
- Is the Opuntia engelmannii hardy?
- How do I care for the Opuntia engelmannii?
- The essentials in brief:
- Tips
The Opuntia engelmannii can easily tolerate cold winters outdoors
Is the Opuntia engelmannii hardy?
Not all Opuntia are hardy, some tolerate no frost, others survived only short and relatively mild frost periods unscathed. The Opuntia engelmannii, on the other hand, is very frost-tolerant and can spend the coldest winter in your garden.
Not even temperatures of 20 ° C make this cactus from the southern United States much. This makes it one of the most frost-tolerant cacti you can find. There are quite different variants of this robust cactus. Some only reach a height of about one meter, others reach a height of up to four meters.
Rarely, the rather shrubby Opuntia engelmannii has a clearly visible trunk. For this Opuntie counts to the useful plants, because the juicy fruits are usually edible. In addition, the red juice of the fruits may be used for dyeing or as an ink.
How do I care for the Opuntia engelmannii?
While the prickly pear cactus needs a winter quarters because it only tolerates temperatures just below freezing for a short time, the Opuntia engelmannii can do very well without such special treatment. However, it reacts in the winter a bit sensitive to moisture. Therefore, give the plant a rain cover.
Like all Opuntia, the Opuntia engelmannii is quite easy to maintain. However, to get through the winter, the plant should be well nourished. Fertilize your Opuntia engelmannii regularly from April to July. Use a mineral fertilizer or pour liquid fertilizer into the irrigation water.
If your cactus is in the garden or on the balcony, then water it in dryness, otherwise the natural precipitation should suffice. In winter, only water Opuntia engelmannii on frost-free days and only in very small quantities.
The essentials in brief:
Tips
If you are looking for a frost hardy cactus that also bears edible fruits then the Opuntia engelmannii should be your first choice.