Have you ever come across a cactus that looks like it ’s beam in the moonlight ? connect with the enchant Opuntia whipplei , also known as the whipple cholla or cylindric cholla . This prickly plant is sure to add a touch modality of magic to your garden !
With its brilliant clean spines that seem to radiate light when hit by the sun , the Opuntia whipplei is an eye - catch succulent . Its summary , shrub - like material body make it perfectfor landscaping or as a striking potted plant . And get this – its brilliant yellow - green prime are an infrangible showstopper when they flower in tardy spring to early summertime .
But the cool feature article do n’t stop there ! This little desert dweller has some serious street cred . Its metal money name “ whipplei ” honors Amiel Weeks Whipple , an American surveyor and engineer from way back in the 1800s . How ’s that for account ?
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About Opuntia whipplei
Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico , the Opuntia whipplei falls under the cactus family known as Cactaceae . It grows as a low - lying matting or upright shrub without a large trunk .
Depending on the conditions , this cactus can contact anywhere from 1 to 5 feet tall and spread several foot wide-eyed . Its slender green stalk segments are cover in row of stick out gibbosity with clusters of sharp lily-white or ruddy - brown spines emerging from them .
The spines are straight and uncompromising , measuring up to 1 - 2 inches long . They grow in a cross practice from the stem marijuana cigarette , almost seeming to glow in dividing line against the green root .
While not the full-grown bloomer , the yellow - unripened whipple cholla flowers are still a real dainty when they appear in bounce and summer . And its jolting yellow fruits extend a fun quirky detail .
Related Post:195 Opuntia Varieties [ With Pictures ]
How to Care for Opuntia whipplei
Light
Like most cacti , thewhipple chollathrives in verbatim , full sunshine photograph . direct to give it at least 6 - 8 hour of sunshine per mean solar day . An unshaded south or west - facing area is ideal .
If you ’re growing it indoors , site it right in front of a bright windowpane . Or use agrow visible radiation about 12 inch awayfor 12 - 14 hours per day to mimic sunshine .
Water
Do n’t go dump tons of urine on this desert native ! The Opuntia whipplei likes its land on the drier side , so be sure to expend a well - draining potting admixture .
During the springtime , summertime and fall turn season , give it a good soak once every 1 - 2 weeks , provide the soil to amply dry out between waterings . In winter , you may cut back to lachrymation just once a calendar month or so .
Always keep off getting the stems tight to prevent rot . And be sure to utilise room temperature water rather than cold .
Soil
A well - run out ground mix is all-important for the whipple cholla to prevent progeny like root rotting . A cactus and succulent potting premix combined with some horticultural sand or perlite works utterly .
you could alsomake your own mixby combining :
Just be trusted it drains quickly when you water so the tooth root do n’t ride in wet .
Fertilizer
Feed your Opuntia whipplei cactusonce a month during its spring to fall growing period using a balanced liquid fertilizer debase to half posture . adjudge off on fertilizing in the winter when growth is minimal .
you could also top - dress the grease with a diluted liquid state seaweed fertilizer or worm compost to allow for nutrients while keeping thing nice and gritty .
Temperature and Humidity
This hardy cactus love red-hot and ironical condition with temperatures ideally between 65 - 95 ° F . It can plow close - freezing temps down to around 25 ° F during winter , but shield it from frost .
Provide fantabulous airflow and lower humidness to create a decent desert environs . Too much wet hang around can lead to rot and disease issues .
Pests and Problems
Overall a fairly sturdy plant , but look out out forcommon cactus pestslike mealybugs or scale leaf insects which can leave behind sugary residue .
Thebiggest threatsare fungal infections like root rot from overwatering or extend moisture on the stems and branches . Be vigilant about providing fast drain and miserable humidity .
Pruning
Very little pruningis required for this low - maintenance cactus beyond snipping off any dead or damaged stems or flowers . Use light pruning shears and protect your hands !
Potting and Repotting
The whipple cholla greatly prefers being keep in a container versus plant in the ground , so select an unglazed ceramic mint with a drainage hole .
Repot every couplet of yearsin former spring using a fresh , well - drain cactus potting mix . treat gently to avoid come off any stems or branch .
How to Propagate Opuntia whipplei
This cactusreadily propagatesfrom cuttings or germ . Here ’s how :
From Cuttings :
From Seed :
With its aglow spine and captivate bloom , the Opuntia whipplei is guaranteed to get double - takes in your garden or home ! Just steer cleared of those prickly spines when look up to this outstanding little succulent .
