Opuntia hintonii

Water:

April-September: 1 x every 2 weeks*

October-March: 1x per month *

*This is only for a sunny location

Light: sunny

Nutrition: 1x per month (May-September)

The Opuntia hintonii is a beautiful and rare cactus species from Mexico. It is found in a limited area in the state of Guerrero, where it grows in semi-desert landscapes with rocky soil. The climate consists of hot days, cool nights, and limited rainfall. Despite these challenging conditions, this Opuntia thrives. Its thick pads and well-designed growth habit make it perfectly adapted to dry, rugged terrain. In its natural habitat, it also plays an important role: birds, insects, and other animals enjoy feeding on its flowers and fruits.

The plant grows as a robust shrub or small tree, reaching a height of about 2 meters. The broad, oval pads are a fresh green and can reach up to 25 cm in length. As with all Opuntias, the areoles are clearly visible. From these, fine glochids emerge, which detach easily, and longer, sturdy spines that can reach about 2 to 2.5 cm in length. These spines range in color from yellow to reddish brown and create a beautiful contrast with the green plant tissue.

During the growing season, Opuntia hintonii treats you to beautiful bright yellow flowers that appear at the edges of the pads. They can grow up to about 5 cm, are rich in nectar, and are a striking addition to the landscape. After flowering, dark purple fruits develop that are edible and readily eaten by animals. Thanks to its robust structure, frugal water use, and clever reproduction, this cactus is perfectly adapted to life in a dry climate and is a particularly beautiful species for collectors.

When the Opuntia hintonii overwinters completely dry, it can withstand temperatures down to -12 degrees.

A: Opuntia hintonii B: IT-09-6027 C: AR-2003 D:IT