The prickly pear cactus is and remains a desert dweller. Its fleshy, water-filled segments ensure its survival in dry times. In this country he doesn't have to worry about the lack of rain, thanks to the watering can. But the shrinking still happens. Why?
Why is my prickly pear cactus shriveling?
Your prickly pear cactus is shriveling because it is losing more moisture than it can absorb. Either you haven't watered it enough, or thesubstrateis not receptive ortoo permeableTheroots may be damagedor trained in insufficient numbers.
How do I water a prickly pear cactus correctly?
This desert plant is content with amodest amount of water for its entire life. When caring for them, however, fluctuations in the water supply must be avoided at all costs.
- water regularly
- whenever the top layer of soil has dried out
- Avoid waterlogging
- protect from constant rain
- water requirements increase on hot days
What substrate does a prickly pear cactus need?
In its native Mexico, the popular prickly pear cactus (Opuntia ficus indica) is adapted to poor and dry soil. Use specialcactus soilor make your own mixture of normal soil and at least35% sand and gravel Soil that is too humus-rich stores a lot of water and can Allow roots to rot. The proportion of coarse material must not be too high, otherwise the water will flow through before it can be absorbed by the prickly pear.
When is the root system the cause of shriveling?
If the prickly pear cactus is propagated, theyoung plantmust first form fine roots. Of course, this doesn't happen overnight. That's why it needs to be slowly accustomed to direct sun, otherwise it will evaporate too much moisture and shrivel. Gradual acclimatization is just as importantafter overwintering, no matter how old the cactus is. In addition, a substrate that is too moist can lead torot. The affected roots can no longer absorb water and the segments shrivel.
How can I reverse shrinkage?
Which of the measures listed below will make the prickly pear cactus plump again depends on why it shriveled up.
- if there is a lack of waterDive the root ball under water
- repotting into more suitable soil
- if applicable. remove previously rotten roots
- (temporarily) remove from direct sun
Tip
Hanging in winter quarters is worrying but harmless
Even in ideally cool and dry winter quarters, the prickly pear cactus can shrivel and leave its segments hanging limply. However, don't start getting used to water gradually until spring, as only then can new fine roots form. It doesn't take long until the segments have a smooth surface again.
