Cacti are succulent plants that are characterized, normally, by having long and sharp thorns. Our protagonist, on the other hand, has none. But we must not be fooled: even if we really want to touch it, it is best not to do it if we do not want to end up with the odd hair caught in our fingers.
Despite this drawback, the opuntia rufida, known as red nopal, it is a very interesting plant that will give us many satisfactions. Why? For everything you are going to discover now 🙂.
What is the Opuntia rufida or red nopal like?
Opuntia rufida u Opuntia microdasys var. ruffian, better known as red nopal, is a cactus plant native to North America, specifically Mexico and Texas. It is a shrub that grows to a maximum height of 1,5 meters, with fleshy leaves called circular cladodes, blue-green to gray-green in color 7,5 to 20cm long and 1 to 1,5cm wide.. The circular areolas carry a reddish glochid, which are like villi of about 0,5 to 2,5 cm.
The flowers, which bloom in summer, are bright yellow or orange and measure 6 to 7,5 cm. The fruits are fleshy, bright red and have an ellipsoidal shape. These are up to 2,5cm long.
How do you take care of yourself?
The red nopal is a plant that hardly needs maintenance. Still, it is important to know your needs to avoid problems:
- Location: outside, in full sun.
- Soil or substrate: it is not demanding, but it will grow better in those that have good drainage.
- Irrigation: if it is on land, the first year it will be necessary to water it once a week; From the second on, irrigation can be suspended. In the case that we have it in a pot, we must water once every 5-6 days.
- Subscriber: it is not necessary, but it can be paid with a fertilizer for cacti in spring and summer following the instructions specified on the package.
- Rusticity: it supports the cold of up to -2ºC, but if hail falls, its leaves will be damaged.
What did you think of this cactus?