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Some Opuntienarten are good hardy
Are Opuntia hardy?
The Opuntia is not a single plant but rather a very species-rich genus. In the plant genus of the Opuntia are about 190 sometimes very different species, which are mostly native to America (especially in Mexico) and the Caribbean.
Early article Can opuntias easily be multiplied? Next article Can you eat Opuntia?According to their natural habitat the different species are different hardy. Some species need a cool winter quarters, others only a dry place in the frosty garden. Cold persistent rain tolerate the fewest species, but many Opuntia eat edible fruits and the leaves or segments of the plants are considered food.
How should Opuntias be cared for in winter?
The prickly pear is not one of the particularly frost hardy varieties. He should winter in a cool neighborhood, ideally at temperatures between 0 ° C and 6 ° C. During this time he is not fertilized and poured very sparingly.
The rabbit ear cactus is allowed to spend the winter outside in a mild area. However, you should then protect its roots from too much cold by wrapping the planter with an old cover or antifreeze foil. Brushwood is a good protection especially for the young shoots. In spring remove the winter protection again. Now is also the ideal time to propagate.
The Opuntia engelmannii is considered to be very frost-tolerant. After all, it survives temperatures below -20 ° C without damage. So he can spend the winter in the garden in a harsh area. He should only be protected from rain. Pour it "drop by drop" and only on frost-free days. More winter care is not necessary.
The essentials in brief:
Tips
If you are looking for a cactus that can spend the winter outside even in a harsh area, then take a well frost tolerant Opuntie like the Opuntia engelmannii.