How to Cultivate Opuntia to Become Multi-Headed
Let's introduce you to the gardening content on how to cultivate Opuntia to become multi-headed, keep reading!
How to Cultivate Opuntia to Become Multi-Headed
The soil for Opuntia can be a mixture of peat soil, garden soil, and particle soil. It can be exposed to sunlight in spring and autumn, ensuring 6-8 hours of light exposure per day. In summer, it is best to move it to a semi-shaded area. Opuntia is drought-resistant and generally does not require excessive watering. The optimal growth temperature is between 10-25°C, and it should not exceed 35°C or be lower than 5°C.
Opuntia is a common succulent plant with leaf edges and tips that easily turn red. The leaves are plump and very attractive, resembling the bashfulness of an ancient beauty. It is also easy to care for and is loved by many gardening enthusiasts.
Opuntia Cultivation
1. Soil
Opuntia prefers loose, fertile, and well-draining soil. You can use peat soil, garden soil, and particle soil, mixed in a ratio of 6:2:2 as the growing medium, or purchase special succulent nutrient soil from the market.
2. Light
Opuntia enjoys sunlight but cannot tolerate direct strong sunlight. It can be exposed to sunlight in spring and autumn, ensuring 6-8 hours of light exposure per day. Insufficient light will slow down the plant's growth. In summer, when temperatures are high, it is best to move it to a semi-shaded area. In winter, when temperatures are cold, it can be moved outside during the day to receive sunlight.
3. Watering
Opuntia is relatively drought-resistant. In spring and autumn, water can be given every 4-5 days, or water when the soil is completely dry. In summer and winter, water should be controlled, watering only when the soil is dry, avoiding overwatering. When too much water is given, move the plant to a well-ventilated area to speed up evaporation.
4. Temperature
The optimal growth temperature for Opuntia is between 10-25°C. When the temperature exceeds 35°C, the plant's growth is restricted, and you can use a spray bottle to spray water on the leaves and around the plant to cool it down. When the temperature drops below 5°C in winter, the plant's growth slows down and enters a dormant period. At this time, it should be moved to a warm indoor area to avoid frostbite.
Opuntia Care Tips
Opuntia is prone to pests such as scale insects, red spiders, and whiteflies during growth. Use a brush to remove the pests, then spray the plant with pyrethrin and bromide ester pesticides. Also, keep the succulent in a well-ventilated environment to maintain air circulation.
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