Echinocactus: 6 types with a photo, home care

Echinocactus is a globular succulent found in the deserts of Central America. Other the name of this genus is hedgehog cactus, from the Greek word for "hedgehog" - echinos.

Divorced as a house and garden plant, takes root well in slightly acidic porous soil, but sensitive to frost and dies from low temperatures.

Types of edible cacti

These varieties include the following:

Prickly pear

The most common species with edible fruits. Wherein in Opuntia, not only the fruits are eaten, but even the stems... Initially, they are green, becoming red-burgundy as they mature. The fruits are covered with spines that are very small in size. In this regard, it is not recommended to take berries with bare hands. The taste is sweet with a slight sourness.

Hilocereus

In Russian and not only stores, you can often find such an exotic fruit as Pitahaya or Pitaya. This product is also called Dragon Fruit. It is the fruit of a cactus called Hilocereus. This cactus comes from Vietnam. The pulp has a sour taste... Some people compare the taste of pitaya to strawberry. They eat it raw, make jam, and also add it to dessert dishes.

Mammillaria

Also edible are the fruits of the Mammillaria cactus. They can grow on the plant throughout the year without dropping. These berries have a sour taste.... They are eaten raw, as well as for making jam.

Diseases and pests

Gruzoni has good disease resistance. Usually they are caused by improper or overly caring care. The main negative factor is moisture saturation. - excess will quickly cause putrefaction.

Shield

The appearance of brown spots from foreign material testifies to the defeat of scabies. Such scales are easy to pick up and separate from the stem, which confirms the presence of the pest. The solution to the problem will be to treat the surface of the cactus with cotton wool soaked in alcohol. Another method for more serious cases is insecticide treatment.

Cactus mite

Small arthropod almost invisible to the naked eye. A sign of infection is the formation of a brown rash on the cactus. For the fight, special means for the destruction of ticks are used - acaricides. To prevent relapse, a second is done a week after the first treatment.

Scorms

Noticing a white bloom between the sections and on the areolas, the owner of the cactus begins to prepare for counteracting worms. Signs appear for more late stage of infestation, since the pests first settle in the root area. An unreasonable darkening of the stem will become an earlier symptom.

Getting rid of insects is relatively easy. The plaque is washed off in the shower, and then the plant is sprayed with a mixture of soap suds and a dash of alcohol. The procedure is required daily for a week. or more. You can use vinegar instead of rubbing alcohol.

Attention! Suspicion of worms, like other pests, is a reason for immediate quarantine in order to avoid migration to other plants.

Eating the fruits of Opuntia

The juicy pulp has a sweet taste with a slight sourness. Some compare the taste of Opuntia with strawberries, others with pears, and still others with kiwi.

The prickly pear fruit grows at the very edge of the thorny leaves.

The surface is hard and covered with small needles.Coloring - from pale green to red. Wherein Opuntia have not only interesting taste, but also healing properties..

Recently, such exoticism can be found on the shelves of foreign stores, less often domestic ones. A grabber is specially placed in the fruit tray, with which you can take them so as not to prick.

How to pull the needles out of the fruit?

Before eating the fruit, you need to prepare them. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate all existing thorns.

Collecting the fruits of Opuntia is not recommended without gloves or a special tool.

Firstly, taking cactus fruits with bare hands is not recommendedso as not to remove the needles from the skin later. In this regard, it is worth using durable rubber gloves. And the fruit itself is best held with wide tongs. Despite the fact that the needles are very small in size, their contact with the skin responds with painful sensations.

If the needle does get into the skin of your hands, you need to remove it with tweezers. It is advisable to do this over the sink, immediately rinsing the needles. Otherwise, the needles will fall to the floor, as a result of which they will have to be removed from the skin of the legs.

Secondly, to remove thorns, it is recommended to rinse Opuntia under a strong pressure of water... This will get rid of small needles. Large needles can be removed by wiping the surface of the fruit with a tissue. The napkin must be folded several times.

Fruits already peeled from thorns are on sale, therefore, to use them, you only need to rinse the fruits under water.

How to peel off the skin?

Since the peel of the fruit is quite tough and dense, it is recommended to remove it... How to do it?

Originally the ends of the fruit are cut off;
On the fruit is done longitudinal incision;
Skin pulls gently and is removed.

Some people prefer to simply cut the fruit in half and eat the pulp with a spoon. In this case, the bones are also eaten.

How to eat so as not to inject yourself?

It is recommended to wear durable rubber gloves on your hands to remove the needles from the berries. Berries are soaked in cold water or washed under a strong stream of running water... This will remove small thorns from the surface of the fruit.

Then the fruit is wiped with a paper napkin, which is folded several times.

What does the prickly pear fruit taste like?

Opuntia are juicy and slightly sour. Moreover, depending on the variety, the taste can be sour or sweeter. Some varieties have an incredibly pleasant aroma, while others do not have it at all..

Prickly pear fruit in a cut

These fruits are able to perfectly quench thirst due to the juiciness and some wateriness of the pulp of the fruit. Therefore, some are surprised by the use of fruits in countries with cool climates.

The fruit contains small bones. In this plan fruit can be compared to pomegranate or grape... Someone refuses to eat them, and someone calmly chews them and uses them along with the pulp.

How and what is there?

How and what is there? This is a topical question for those who are planning to taste this delicious product. Outwardly, the fruit of an edible cactus is small. It has a hard surface and small needles on top. The color of the fruit can be from light green to reddish. Berries are famous for their unusual taste and medicinal properties.

Today the fruits of the plant can be found in supermarkets. At the same time, there must be a special potholder nearby, through which you need to take fruits so as not to prick. The price of such fruits in our country is quite significant, but in Cyprus, cactus berries are a very affordable pleasure. A kilogram of delicacies costs an average of 1.5 euros.

Before you start eating the fruits, they must be prepared.First you need to get rid of the numerous thorns that are present. You should not do this with your bare hands, since getting the needles out of the skin is not an easy task. You need to put on thick rubber gloves, while holding the fetus with wide forceps.

Advice! If, nevertheless, it happened that the needle was under the skin, it should be removed with tweezers. It is convenient to do this over the sink, immediately flushing the thorn down the drain. Doing this above the floor can cause the needle to fall off or become entangled in the carpet, making it difficult to find.

It is necessary to get rid of small needles with the help of a strong pressure of water. The fruit must be held with forceps, gently turning it under water. If there are large needles left, then you need to roll a napkin in several layers and carefully wipe the fruit. By the way, today there are fruits on sale that have already been peeled from needles. It will be enough just to rinse them under the pressure of water or soak in it.

On sale you can find young and "adult" fruits. The latter must be peeled off, as it is quite dense and tough. This is done as follows:

cut off the ends of the fruit;
make a longitudinal incision;
Pull gently and peel off using a fork.

Advice! Many people prefer to eat the fruit raw, cutting it in half. Then the pulp is taken out of the half with a spoon. You can even eat bones, they are very useful.

Interestingly, in some countries, first freeze this berry and only then eat it. This simple action will make it easy to wash the needles off the surface.

Benefit and harm

The fruits of this type of cactus have many beneficial properties. They are used for a number of the following diseases:

Obesity;
Diabetes;
Gastric ulcer;
Gastritis;
Constipation.

Opuntia leaves are used for massage

At the same time, not only fruits are used in folk medicine, but also other parts of the cactus: leaves, flowers and stems.

With the help of such an exotic fruit, some therapeutic diseases are also treated, for example, colds, and they are also used to lower body temperature.

Moreover, fruit pulp is able to stop bleeding and has a wound healing effect... They also perfectly quench thirst due to their sour taste.

Opuntia contains plant proteins that help fight edema and cellulite by removing fluid from the body

Berries are effectively used for weight loss. They not only help to reduce weight, but also help in the fight against cellulite and edema that often accompany obesity. They contain a minimum of calories.

However, the product should not be overused. Abuse can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences.:

Allergic reaction;
Headache;
Constipation;
Vomiting.

Medicinal and culinary uses

The medicinal and culinary uses of cactus fruits are very common. The fruit is often used raw. But also quite often it is included in a variety of desserts, fruit salads and fruit drinks. The pulp is often a component of liqueurs. Various jams, confitures, preserves and marmalade are prepared from fruits alone or in combination with other fruits.

Interestingly, in many countries, the fruit is used for cooking meat dishes. In particular, cacti complement sauces and gravies, adding a sweet and sour flavor to them. Often, cactus fruits are stewed with meat ingredients. In the finished form, the cactus is close in taste to sour pepper. But the leaves of the cactus are more like sorrel or ordinary salad.

For medicinal purposes, decoctions are prepared from cactus fruits. For example, at home it will be possible to make an anti-cold broth from the fruits of a cactus, marshmallow root and honey. To do this, first, marshmallow root syrup is prepared, and then the rest of the ingredients are added to the mass. For two parts of the syrup, you will need one part of honey and cactus fruits.

An effective home remedy for fever, which is made from prickly pear fruits and three liters of water. It is enough to brew the fruits in water, and then use the resulting broth to lower body temperature.

Cactus juice is incredibly healthy. When consumed regularly, it can lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. That is why the plant is recommended for use in diabetes mellitus.

It is interesting! Tea is often made from cactus flowers. Its taste is somewhat different from the usual and familiar to us drink.

Edible cacti are an interesting product that can quench your thirst due to their high juiciness and wateriness. The fruit also contains small bones. A significant proportion of people compare cactus berries with pomegranate or grapes. The main advantage of a cactus is its interesting taste. In addition, the fruits have a beneficial effect on the body, making it healthy. Remember to peel and peel edible cacti before consuming them.

What is made from prickly pear fruits?

The fruit is not only used raw. Most often it is used to prepare all kinds of dessert delicacies.... These include fruit salads, fruit drinks. They also prepare jams, preserves and confitures and marmalade. Also, berry pulp is often added to liqueurs.

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But that's not all. Fruits are often used in the preparation of meat dishes. It is actively used to create sweet and sour gravies and sauces.

It should be noted that there are several recipes that are actively used in traditional medicine for the treatment of certain diseases.

Due to a number of useful properties, Opuntia is actively used both in traditional medicine and in folk medicine.

So, for the preparation of a cough-cold broth you will need:

From the root of marshmallow, it is required to initially prepare a syrup, and then mix all the ingredients in a 2: 2: 1 ratio.

Also an effective remedy against fever is a recipe from:

Some varieties of cacti are edible and very tasty, which are actively eaten both raw and cooked. For example, these exotic fruits are added to hot dishes, desserts, used for making jams and confitures... The fruits are distinguished not only by good taste, but also by useful properties. At the same time, before eating the fruit, they must be cleaned of needles and peels.

Description

Edible cacti are plants that belong to the cactus family. The fruits can be included in the daily diet. Not everyone knows that the fruits of this plant are edible. For most people, cacti are thorny plants, mostly located near the computer. But there are types of this plant that are not only edible, but also very tasty. Cacti grow in South and North America, in Israel, in Tunisia, where they have long become a part of the daily diet.
From this article you will learn what types of cacti exist, their main features. We will also talk about the beneficial and harmful properties of such a product. The article describes in detail how to properly use edible cactus in food, as well as what can be prepared from it. In the photo you can see what edible cacti look like.

The most exotic fruit I've ever tasted.

Hello everyone who has looked at my next review.

Today we will talk about fruits of prickly pear cactus. People also call them pitahaya, dragon fruit, prickly pear, Indian fig.

In pursuit of new experiences, I decided to try a cactus. This memorable event took place in Tunisia. The guide pushed me to this, he described these fruits so appetizingly that I could not remain indifferent.He warned about thorns, but I considered them harmless. What are these small thorns to us? Oh, how wrong I was.

I saw the prickly pear on the territory of the hotel, picked it off with my bare hands. Where were my brains? She left in Moscow for the duration of her vacation.

The thorns are very small, I took them out of my fingers with tweezers for half a day. I threw away the prickly pear fruit without trying it. And then I got to the market.

These fruits were sold almost everywhere, they cost very cheap - 2.5 dinars. They looked so delicious that it was simply impossible to resist the temptation. And yes, I bought some.

Previewed on the Internet how to properly clean the fruits of prickly pear. The original requires gloves, but I used a plastic bag. Where do I get my rubber gloves on vacation?

So, first of all, we protect our hands, then we rinse the fruit under running cold water. We do this very carefully to wash off as many thorns as possible. Then you need to wipe them well with a paper towel. Then, holding the fruit with a fork, make an incision and use a spoon to remove the fruit from the rind. I didn't have a spoon or a fork at hand, only a knife. Therefore, I peeled the prickly pear fruit like boiled potatoes - peeling off the skin with shreds. It was very uncomfortable as the fruit is very soft on the inside.

It tastes sweet and sour, watery with aloe flavor. I came across fruits of different taste: some were juicy and sweet, while others were insipid and not tasty at all. Inside the fruit there was a lot of bones.

Opuntia fruits contain many vitamins and minerals. They perfectly quench thirst, they are used to prepare jam and marmalade.

I brought with me several jars of this jam so that my family and friends also try the cactus. By the way, this jam tastes very much like mulberry jam.

Throughout the rest, I ate these fruits every day. They have the ability to break down and remove fats from the body. Opuntia reduces appetite, promotes the removal of fluids from the body. She still has a bunch of useful properties, but most of all I remember that prickly pear fruits help with hangover syndrome. This wonderful fruit promotes the rapid removal of toxins from the body, relieves nausea and dry mouth. And why doesn't this cactus grow in Russia? Here he would be very useful.

I once saw prickly pears in our supermarkets a couple of times, but now I don't see them anymore. I would love to buy it.

If you have the opportunity, be sure to try this fruit.

The prickly pear cactus is one of the most interesting plants on our planet. This species is the most common of the cactus genus. For many months, the largest representative of succulents can do without water, feels good in the most scarce, nutrient-deprived soils.

Homeland prickly pear, like most cacti, South America. It is able to grow in deserts, semi-deserts under the hot scorching sun, as well as in the tropics and on the coast of salty seas. Cacti are found all over the world. They can be found in different natural climatic zones of other continents.

There are about 300 species. Cacti are unusual and unique in their shapes and sizes. In different countries, their representatives of amazing plants are popular, which farmers have adapted to their habitat and are happy to grow on their plots or plantations. Plant lovers breed them on windowsills or in greenhouses.

General description of the plant

In addition to large thorns, "Opuntia" has a "secret weapon" - "Glochidia", small, pale spines almost invisible to the eye, equipped with tiny hooks. They so easily leave the plant and cling to the skin and clothing that the people are of the opinion that the cactus "spits" them.

Advice: It is not easy to get rid of the insidious "Glochidia", you cannot see them from above, but from the side, the hairs that have sunk into the skin are clearly visible.

It is better to pull them out with tweezers and this should be done over the sink in order to immediately wash off the thorns with running water, otherwise they will scream somewhere else.

Family

As soon as the people do not call this representative of the cactus family: "mother-in-law's tongue", "dragon fruit", "Indian pear".

The Germans called the cactus "Opuntia" "eared cactus", the British - "prickly pear", and the French - "the barbarian fig tree".

Interesting! Details about the types of cactus "Opuntia".

Scientific name

Scientific name - Opuntia - given to a cactus by the Greeks by ... a misunderstanding.

In ancient times, the Greeks did not know the present "Opuntia", but near the town of "Oponte" they had many of their thorns.

By the name of the city they were called "Opuntia", and only then this name went to an outlandish overseas plant - too, after all, a thorn.

Homeland

Its homeland is in Central America, from there the "Opuntia" cactus settled all over the world, especially having fallen in love with Mexico - there are about half of the varieties.
Today it grows everywherewhere it is hot and dry - in the Americas from the steppes of Canada to the southern borders of Argentina, in the Mediterranean countries, in India, in Australia, in Israel and even in Russia - more than a dozen of its species grow in the Caucasus and Crimea.

You can grow this cactus at home, "Opuntia" is tenacious and unpretentious.

True, the “Opuntia” flower in the room is rarely pleasing to the eye. To admire their yellow, red, pink, less often white corollas, it is better to take the plant out into the garden - there it will sooner bloom.

Can I keep it at home?

The Opuntia cactus does not require special care and benefits people. The plant is equally good will grow both on a sunny windowsill and in light shade. In winter, the cactus can be put in a cool place - let it "sleep", gain strength by spring.

You do not need to water or feed the plant at this time. "Opuntia" can do without water for many months, but it is worth watering it - almost dried up - in the spring, and it will rise to life again.

Once a month, the plant can be fed fertilizer for cacti, and when it grows, transplant it into a larger pot. When transplanting, unlike most plants, no need to water the cactus. From the old dry soil, it is transferred (or transferred) to a new one - just as dry.

Advice: to care for "Opuntia", and even more so to transplant it is necessary only in rubber gloves.

Opuntia cactus description of species and varieties

The plant can grow up to 4 meters in height. The subfamily Opuntia has different types of stems - spherical, oval, cylindrical, disc-shaped or segmented. Cacti are erect or creeping. The development of the root system does not occur in the bowels of the earth, but in width.

The plant blooms beautifully, usually in large or medium-sized single flowers. These cacti are one of the few that have edible parts - fruits that form after the flowers wither. The fruits are sweet, fleshy and juicy, in the pulp there are many flat seeds covered with a dense shell. The prickly pear fruits themselves are covered with glochidia, small thorns, however, like the whole plant. Only the cactus itself still has hard thorns.

Small glochidia gathered in bunches. They cause great trouble to a person who inadvertently touched the plant, digging into the skin with their small thorns.

Opuntia fig

Opuntia ficus-indica, the most famous succulent, is simply known by other names, for example: prickly pear, Indian fig, Indian prickly pear, Indica ficus, mother-in-law cactus (tongue). Cacti in nature, plants are very tall. "Fig" grows up to 4 meters in height and up to 2 meters in diameter. At home, prickly pear will not be like this, but it is quite suitable for a greenhouse.

The edible cactus blooms twice a year.The flowering of the fig prickly pear pleases the eye with its multicolored flowers - the flowers on them are red, yellow or orange, they are bright the same as their fruits. The fruits of the "prickly pear" are red, sweet and juicy. They are not only eaten raw, but also used in cooking.

The fig prickly pear has beneficial properties, the fruits are nutritious and full of vitamins and minerals. "Indian fig" is widely used in folk medicine and cosmetology.

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Prickly pear

Opuntia microdasys is the native habitat of the cactus central Mexico (Hidalgo state) in the highlands of 1000 m above sea level. The cactus is also common in America and the Galapagos Islands.

A bushy branching plant is considered to be medium-sized about half a meter in height. The fleshy flattened green stems of the plant are completely covered with areoles (axillary buds), on which small glochidia "splinters" sticking into the skin are located.

In nature, small-haired prickly pear blooms with beautiful lemon-yellow flowers with a diameter of 5-7 cm. In captivity, that is, when grown at home, the flowering of the plant is a rare phenomenon. Accordingly, prickly pear also loves to bear fruit in its free element, forming red oblong fruits.

Opuntia subulata

The genus Opuntia subulata, another name for the cactus "Austrocylindropuntia" - has, perhaps, the most original form for a cactus. It is surprising how the cylindrical thick stems of prickly pear look. They are covered with long white hairs. On the stems there are needle-shaped sharp thorns, as well as leaves, which the cactus sheds over time. Succulent stems stretch upward and grow strongly.

Opuntia subulata is a fast-growing plant, but almost never blooms at home. In nature, flowers appear on the upper parts of the stem, they are yellow, orange, bright red.

This species is often grown as a stock for other prickly pears. If you grow a cactus at home, then you need a sunny place, and even better, prickly pear will grow and delight you with its atypical appearance in a light, spacious greenhouse.

Common prickly pear

Opuntia Vulgaris is native to the subtropics of South America. In its natural habitat, this type of cactus grows up to 5-6 meters in height. It is he who is considered the progenitor of all other prickly pears. The cactus grows rapidly, forming into bizarre bushes.

Opuntia has green, oblong stalks in the form of cakes, with a small number of thorns, thick juicy segments grow one from the other. Small leaves are also formed on the segments, which eventually fall off. The plant in the areoles is supplied with sharp multiple glochidia. In nature, common prickly pear blooms with beautiful yellow flowers, at home this phenomenon is rare. Fruiting in prickly pears occurs from the middle to almost the end of summer. Bright red-burgundy, fleshy and juicy fruits can grow up to 10 cm and weigh 100-300 grams.

Almost all parts of the plant are used on the farm. Fruits and stems are food for people and pets. The cactus is used for cosmetic and medicinal purposes. Tea is prepared from the flowers. Healing oil is produced from the seeds. The plant is processed to produce glue and dyes.

Brazilian prickly pear

Brasiliopuntia is a tree-like prickly pear. In nature, its height can be up to 20 meters. Favorite habitat of the Brazilian prickly pear near tropical rainforests. Therefore, for those who want to grow a plant at home, you need to take into account the size, as well as the love of moisture and water regularly.

From the thorny trunk of the cactus, leaf-like flat shoots grow. Fleshy, dark green leaves about 15 cm long. One and a half centimeter needles are evenly distributed and grow from the areoles. The cactus blooms with small (6 cm) yellow or beige flowers, which open in turn, as if they want to extend their flowering time.At home, the cactus blooms very rarely.

The round or slightly oval-shaped fruits of the plant are small - 3-4 cm. The pleasant-tasting sweetish fruits delight with a variety of colors, when ripe they are: yellow, red, orange or even purple with large dense seeds inside.

Garden prickly pear

This type of prickly pear is well suited for growing at home: on the windowsill or in the garden outside. "Sadovaya" is one of the few cacti that are not afraid of frosty and snowy winters. Having proudly survived the cold in the open field, prickly pear will delight lovers of exotic with its attractive unusual look. And for landscape design, garden prickly pear is just a godsend, with its participation beautiful alpine slides and chic flower beds are obtained. In early summer, buds appear, which then open in the sun and the plant blooms.

Like any home and garden plant, it requires care: the right choice of a place for planting, watering, feeding, possibly warming for the winter. But all efforts are rewarded, because the cactus brings joy and aesthetic satisfaction.

In addition, homemade cactus has medicinal properties, it can be used as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory. It helps with headaches, including those associated with a hangover syndrome. The juice contains substances that promote wound healing with bactericidal properties.

Opuntia monacanth

Opuntia Monacanta is a highly branching cactus with flattened oval stems. The plant is covered with areoles with spines and glochidia. The cactus blooms with large yellow flowers with a diameter of 5-8 cm. Thanks to pollination, prickly pear bears fruit, forming juicy fleshy red fruits 5-6 cm long.

Growers love to grow prickly pear monacanth at home for its intricate bushy forms and unpretentious cultivation.

Berger's prickly pear

Opuntia bergeriana is a common shrub cactus, quite high 4-5 m. Covered with thick fleshy elongated stems 40 cm in length. Unlike others, this type of prickly pear blooms at an early age. During the flowering period, the plant is abundantly covered with bright red flowers of medium size. Haloes with long sharp thorns are evenly scattered along the stalks of the cactus.

At home, the height of prickly pears is usually a little more than a meter, and the length of the leaves-shoots is about 25 cm. Good care provides abundant flowering, delighting everyone with its beauty.

Types of echinocactus

There are 6 types, each of which has characteristic differences.

Echinocactus grusonii (Gruzoni)

Endemic to the east and center of Mexico, but rare in the wild and threatened with extinction. Habitat - basalt substrate on the slopes of hills, at an altitude of about 1,400 m.

First described by the German botanist Heinrich Hildmann, who gave the species a name in honor of a compatriot - Hermann Gruzon

Outwardly resembles a large almost a regular ball. Over the years, it reaches a meter size. Young specimens are outwardly different from mature ones. Life expectancy is approximately 30 years.

In adults, there may be up to 35 prominent ribs, although only small protrusions are visible in the initial stages of growth. Sharp long spines are usually straight or slightly curved, presented in shades of yellow and sometimes white.

After reaching about 20 years, small yellow flowers appear on the Gruzoni crown every summer.

Echinocactus platyacanthus (wide-spined or flat-spiked)

Comes from the Chihuahua Desert. The inhabitants of Mexico prepare traditional sweets from it by boiling the pulp. The plant reaches a height of 2.5 m and a width of 1.5 m. It lives for over a hundred years. It has a grayish-blue stem with hard spines.

The apex is flat, covered with yellow fibrous texture. Strong ribbing is present and large areolas. Flowers bloom at the turn of the spring-summer seasons and bear small hairy fruits.

Echinocactus parryi (parry)

Flattened globular or short cylindrical, morphologically reminiscent of polycephalus. The plant has a gray-green stem 20–30 cm long with distinct ribs. The needles are white or pinkish, arranged in bunches, almost completely covering the plant. Flowering occurs in summer.

Echinocactus horizonthalonius (horizontal)

The natural environment is the limestone substrates of the Sonoran and Chihuahua deserts. Color ranges from gray-green to bluish-gray, the shape is spherical, hemispherical, cylindrical or flattened.

Stretches up to 45 cm with a width of 20. Consists of sections, slightly bending around the longitudinal axis, along the image of the screw. Bright pink or purplish red flowers 7-9 cm in diameter bloom in June. The buds open in the middle of the day and close at night.

Echinocactus polycephalus (multi-headed)

Homeland - the driest areas of the American continent - the Mojave Desert and the northern part of Sonora.

Sometimes solitary, but more often forms clusters up to 30 specimens, each up to 0.6 m in height. Frequent strong spines cover the stem and prevent the buds from fully opening. The flowering period is July. The brown needles turn red from moisture.

The cactus is difficult to take root due to weak roots.

Echinocactus texensis (Texas)

As the name suggests, it comes from Texas and the surrounding regions.

Hardy cactus: solitary in the early stages of growth, occasionally forms clusters over the years. The shades range from gray-green to grassy. The plant has many ribs. The above-ground part is hemispherical, with a flat top.

Small but hard spines grow in tufts. Typically, the Texas subspecies sits deep in the ground, rising above the surface for about 20 cm with a diameter of 30. It blooms easily, takes root well, has greater frost resistance than other species.

Opuntia cactus medicinal properties

Opuntia has a number of medicinal properties and is actively used in traditional and folk medicine in some countries. First of all, its hemostatic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial properties were noted.

Due to the high concentration of glucose, protein, chlorophyll, prickly pear is considered a natural antibiotic and absorbent that protects against harmful environmental influences.

Opuntia for weight loss and digestion

Eating prickly pears is useful for losing weight (more often they use fig prickly pears). Coarse dietary fiber is abundant in the plant.

Distension of the stomach is increased due to fiber, which contributes to a feeling of fullness. Cactus fruits suppress appetite. The synthesis of adipose tissue decreases. Fiber also removes sodium and excess water from the body. Stimulates intestinal motility. Improves metabolic processes in the body.

There are pharmacological forms of prickly pear release, before using which a doctor's consultation is required.

Strengthening the immune system

Opuntia is rich in vitamin C, which is useful for strengthening the immune system. Vitamin works as an antioxidant, preventing the destruction of cellular structures. The beneficial properties of prickly pear increase the body's resistance to infectious diseases.

For teeth and bones

Opuntia contains calcium, which is involved in the formation of bone tissue. 99% of the element is deposited in the skeleton, nails and teeth. Cactus fruits are useful if there is a risk of osteoporosis, especially for older people.

For the work of the heart

The medicinal properties of prickly pear improve the functioning of the cardiovascular system. They rid the body of "bad" cholesterol. In addition, the use of the plant lowers blood pressure. The walls of the blood vessels are strengthened.

Prevention of oncology

Organic compounds: flavonoids, polyphenols, betalains contained in cacti have an antioxidant effect on the body. They neutralize free radicals, preventing the development of cancer cells. Therefore, the fruits of prickly pear in the diet are the prevention of the development of oncology.

Better sleep

The properties of the cactus help with stress or increased excitability. The beneficial substances contained in cacti increase the level of melatonin, have a calming effect in case of insomnia. The plant normalizes blood pressure, which also promotes natural falling asleep.

With stomach ulcers

Mexicans have always treated this dangerous disease with cacti. Later, doctors recognized the effectiveness of cacti in the treatment of stomach ulcers. Scientists even conducted tests on a group of volunteers in the acute stage of the disease. As a result, stable remission was achieved in all participants in the experiment.

Cactus contains a sticky substance and fibers, thanks to their content, when consumed, the condition of the stomach improves with ulcers and gastritis.

With diabetes mellitus

The cactus has an anti-diabetic effect on the body. It lowers cholesterol and bad lipids in the blood. With regular use of prickly pears, there is no sharp release of glucose in the body, diabetes patients feel better.

Contraindications for use

Like any remedy that has an active effect on the body, prickly pear has its own contraindications. Before use, you should objectively assess your health, since the leaves, flowers and fruits of the fig prickly pear can bring not only benefits, but also harm.

Due to the diuretic effect of products containing prickly pear, it is recommended to be careful when using it as a treatment for people suffering from chronic and acute diseases of the urinary system and kidneys.

You should also take into account the individual intolerance to the components of the cactus. They can cause allergies with manifestations in the form of:

nausea;
rashes on the body;
headaches.

Prickly pear cactus useful properties

The environment, stress, overwork negatively affect the human body. The beneficial properties of prickly pear cactus are good protection against premature aging.

The benefits of a cactus are due to its vitamin composition, micro- and macroelements. All parts of a cactus, its stems, fruits, flowers that contain:

dietary fiber - 3.7%,
water - 87.5%,
carbohydrates - 7.62%,
protein - 0.72%,
fats - 0.51%.

Vitamins: A, C, PP, B1, B2, B6, B9, beta-carotene. Micro-macroelements: potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, etc.

Useful acids contained in prickly pear are linoleic, oleic, steoric, palmitic, ascorbic, myristic, and arachinic. All of them are actively used in cosmetology, pharmacology and the food industry.

For women

Vinegar from Tunisian Opuntia is especially relevant for female beauty. It reduces swelling and cellulite. The vinegar is 100% organic, according to the manufacturer. Read the instructions for use before purchasing.

For men

Diseases of the prostate gland, urinary tract for a man is a serious problem that brings pain and discomfort to his personal life. The beneficial properties of prickly pear reduce inflammation. There are drugs and dietary supplements that stabilize the work of organs.

Modern preparations based on cactus, developed by scientists, help fight hangover by improving liver function, neutralizing decay products from alcohol poisoning.

For athletes

There are preparations and dietary supplements that include extracts from cacti. The beneficial properties of the auxiliaries restore the body after long and exhausting workouts. They saturate with vitamins, giving strength, relieve nervous tension caused by overload.

For skin

The antioxidant properties of prickly pear, as well as its phytochemicals and acids, have a rejuvenating effect on the skin. Eating cactus and plant-based cosmetics make the skin healthy, fresh, and protect it from premature wrinkles and age spots.

Nutritional value

Besides its refreshing taste, prickly pear is a good source of nutrients: vitamins, amino acids and minerals. One 86 gram serving of prickly pear offers 0.393 mg of manganese, 141 mg of calcium, 45 mg of magnesium, 8 mg of vitamin C, and 0.51 mg of iron. In addition, many amino acids are 0.012 g tryptophan, 0.034 g threonine, 0.042 g isoleucine, 0.066 g leucine, 0.051 g lysine, and 0.013 g methionine.

Eating

In southern countries, prickly pear is used in cooking. For example, in Mexico, Central America, for many decades, favorite national dishes have been prepared from cacti. They make salads, use it as a vegetable, eat it as a fruit, make healthy, aromatic tea from the flowers.

In Spain, during the annual farm holidays, you can taste a variety of dishes made with cactus.

In some countries, after harvesting, juices are squeezed out of the cactus, sauces are made, the leaves are pickled, fried or baked. They also produce all kinds of desserts, candied and boiled in syrup. To many people, prickly pear fruits taste like juicy strawberries, raspberries or pears. Delicate jams, creams, soufflés, preserves and other delicious culinary dishes are made from cactus.

Reproduction

Echinocactus can only be propagated in adulthood, when it is capable of flowering.

Seeds

In place of flowers, boxes with small brown seeds are formed. They are carefully removed and placed in water overnight. For germination, you need a shallow tray covered with a mixture of peat, vermiculite and sand (6: 4: 4).

The seeds, together with water, are drawn into a syringe and distributed over the surface of the substrate. From above, the pallet is covered with foil or glass. The emergence of seedlings is expected in 1–1.5 months.

They are transplanted into separate containers (no more than 5 cm in diameter) with tweezers after the appearance of thorns. Further growth continues for 1–2 years, and the sprout is able to withstand transplantation into a larger pot (up to 10 cm).

Children

Vegetative reproduction is not typical for echinocactus. Babies can form only in places where the succulent is damaged by disease or mechanically. As a result, the mother plant may soon die. If there are signs of dying off of the main trunk, you need to separate the daughter cactus and plant it separately.

Prickly pear oil

A useful product is produced from cactus flowers by splitting them in vegetable oils. When combined, the substances bind to the fatty components, transferring all the benefits of flowers to the oil.

The oil is used mainly in cosmetology for skin and hair care.

The second way to obtain oil is direct extraction of cactus seeds. Vitamin-enriched oil is common in countries where the cactus grows. Tourists are happy to acquire it, bringing useful exotic from Tunisia, Mexico and other countries.

Plant

Opuntia is considered a shrub or small tree growing up to 2-4 m in height. It has been found that the cactus loves sunny, desert conditions and prefers well-drained dry soil, mostly rocky closer to the slopes.

The trunk of the cactus is woody and round in cross section. Stem segments are green, narrow elliptic, obovate, 8 - 50 × 5 - 15 cm thick. The segments are full in shape, the base and apex are rounded. Areola 2 mm in diameter, 2 - 3 cm apart.

Spines are usually absent, sometimes present at 1–3 cm in the areola, widening, grayish, acicular, 3–9 mm; glochids are inconspicuous on early leaves. Conical leaves 3 - 4 mm. Flowers 1.3 - 1.5 cm in diameter, erect, red, yellow or purple.

Opuntia extract

In pharmacology, cactus extract is used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases. Also in the cosmetic industry, cactus extract is a well-known remedy for skin care and hair care. It can be added to creams, lotions, and other cosmetic products, or used alone.

There are recipes for self-preparation of the extract, the cactus is crushed and used fresh, it is also brewed or infused. And for the best effect, they are mixed with other useful ingredients, for example, with honey, olive oil or alcohol-containing liquids.

Echinocactus bloom

Flowering echinocactus gruson will reward only very patient gardeners. After all, the maturity of a cactus in the form of the ability to reproduce and form seeds occurs at the age of 20 years. And even after such a long time, under unfavorable conditions, the buds may not appear.

Advice! If you buy an adult specimen and take proper care of it, you will be able to see the flowers earlier.

The upcoming flowering is evidenced by the appearance of protrusions at the top of the ball. From them buds bloom in the shape of a funnel, the color depends on the species. The shrub is characterized by bright yellow flowers with thin and elongated petals, they are located around the circumference of the flattened top.

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Contraindications and harm

It is important to always remember about the moderate use of a useful plant, because a cactus can be harmful.

It is worth being careful with an exotic plant for people prone to allergies.
Individual intolerance is possible.
Pregnant women are better off experimenting with cactus fruits and extracts containing cactus ingredients.
People with chronic cystitis or hemorrhoid disease need to give up prickly pear and products based on it.

Flowering Gruzoni

The appearance of flowers occurs at the turn of the spring-summer seasons in representatives of the species over 20 years old. Judge you can talk about this by diameter: with the achievement of a given age stem width is usually greater than or equal to 40 cm. Even if size and age meet the criteria, flowers may not appear if the cactus has not received enough sun.

Important! If all conditions are met, small tubular crowns bloom at the top of the stem, bordering it. The petals are narrow and elongated, of a dark yellow hue.

Opuntia at home

Growers love to grow exotic prickly pear cactus, providing care at home. They are planted in greenhouses or in their garden. Of course, it is not easy to achieve a beautiful flowering of a cactus at home, but it is real.

It is necessary to follow all the recommendations related to the rules of caring for cactus plants.

Provide lighting and the right air temperature at home, depending on the season.
Watering the plant also depends on the season and water quality. Most often, water is poured into trays, it is not useful for a plant that the water gets on the leaves and stems.
An important condition is periodic feeding for the active growth of the plant. Cacti stop feeding during the flowering period.
Like any house plant, cacti need a transplant, but they can be painfully tolerated. Transshipment is done after purchase, and as it grows.
At home, prickly pears can be grown from seeds. After the seedlings appear, they are seated in containers, in the future it is planned to transfer them to large pots.

The prickly pear cactus is a strong plant and rarely gets sick, but it also has problems with improper care. There are always methods of dealing with dangerous pests, the main thing is to recognize the disease in time. In order for the exotic prickly pear to please with its flowering, and possibly fruiting, it is worth trying and creating a comfortable microclimate and favorable conditions for the plant.

Wintering

Gruzoni is in a state of deep rest from December to February, when life processes slow down significantly.

The plant hibernates at a temperature not lower than 10 ° C. The cooler it is around, the less water the cactus needs. At the same time, it tolerates room heat well. Then the demand for moisture increases, but it is significantly lower in comparison with the summer period.

It is important to choose a well-lit place for the wintering Gruzoni and regularly check it for parasites. Warm dry air creates an attractive environment for pests.

Cool wintering is recommended for adults of the plant, as this increases the likelihood of flowers appearing.

How cactus reproduces

Echinocactus reproduce by children and seeds. Unfortunately, babies are extremely rare. The process should be separated at the age of 6-12 months. It is dried for 2-3 days in air, and then rooted in wet sand or a mixture of sand and peat. It is not necessary to deepen the seedling. It is enough just to press it into the ground and prop it up with toothpicks. The process takes 1-2 months. After that, you can transplant the rooted echinocactus to a permanent place.

The seeds are distinguished by good germination. It is better to sow them at the end of February. You can do this at other times of the year, but you will have to additionally highlight the seedlings. For planting, containers with loose leafy earth and sand are used. The soil should be calcined before planting. Seeds are spread on the surface, sprayed with water and covered with foil or glass. The greenhouse is left in a bright place at a temperature of + 26 ... + 30 ° C. Seedlings appear in 1-2 weeks. They continue to grow under cover for a month, and only then are they gradually accustomed to its absence.

Where grows

Cacti form a family of perennial flowering plants. They were first discovered during expeditions to North and South America, and then brought to Europe. Opuntia species is the most common. Besides Asian countries, Africa and Australia, Opuntia grows in the Mediterranean. In our country, the plant is found on the shores of the Black Sea, in the Crimea. Opuntia adapts well to different types of climate. She prefers semi-arid habitats. The cactus can grow on soil, sandy, rocky soils. It does not tolerate only a humid tropical climate and severe frosts. It is found on all continents except Antarctica.

General information

The cactus has a green surface with a large number of ribs with large areoles attached to them. At the top of the plant, the pubescent areoles represent a yellow “cap”. The thorns are usually yellow.

Reference: In wildlife there are no echinocactus with red or green spines. You need to know that in this case the plant was grown using dyes to obtain the given color of the thorns.

You may not see echinocactus blooming so often. For it to bloom, the echinocactus must be at least twenty years of age, and the diameter of its stem must be at least forty centimeters. Flowers can be yellow, red or pink. They appear at the top of the plant, the petals of the flower are narrow and downward.

What does it look like

Opuntia is a tree-like shrub with straight or flat branches creeping along the ground. The branches look like segmented flattened segments. The stems can be up to three meters in height. The trunk of such plants is the same as that of trees: covered with bark, with a diameter of up to 40 cm. The trunk is short, mainly the prickly pear consists of strongly branching fleshy segments - cladodia, which are modified leaves. The segments are elliptical, usually light green in color.

A distinctive feature of prickly pears is the presence of glochidia. These are sharp, hard spines with teeth. They grow on the surface of the reduced leaves and around the areoles - the buds of the cactus.Buds are formed from the buds during the flowering period. All prickly pear flowers are similar in structure and shape - large, with a large number of petals, bright shades. The color range varies from yellow to red, violet, purple. Plants of the prickly pear species are very diverse. They can be of different shapes, sizes, shades, but they all have a similar structure.

How do you eat them?

Opuntia - first, all needles must be removed from the fetus (the procedure is carried out in protective gloves, the remnants of the thorns are sanded and washed with water), then cut in half and eat the pulp with a spoon. Taste the fruit has a juicy, sweet and sour taste, reminiscent of raspberries.

Pitahaya - has a soft shell without needles, which is easily cut with a knife. The pulp with seeds is used for food. The taste of the fruit is often referred to as a cross between strawberries and kiwi with a slight nutty flavor.

The peel of both fruits is inedible.

We suggest watching a useful video on how to eat prickly pear fruits:

Plant features

Cacti are ubiquitous in North and South America, West Indies. All over the world they are known as thorny plants that tolerate the drought of deserts well.

The subfamily of Opuntia includes about 250 species. Their distinctive features are succulent stems, thorns and very thin temporary needles - glochidia. In about half of them, the stems and shoots are modified and are called cladodia. They are flattened and function as leaves. This shape of the stems is necessary for cacti to reduce moisture evaporation in hot desert conditions.

Interesting: one of the features of Opuntia is the presence of teeth on the spines, which have the opposite direction. If you inadvertently pluck the stems or fruits of the Opuntia, the thorns will sink into the skin, and because of these prongs it will be extremely difficult to get them.

The stems of the plant can reach a height of 4 meters. They are very juicy and contain a lot of water. This feature of cacti allows them to remain viable for 3 years in the absence of moisture in the soil. The root system of the plant is superficial. The roots are located in the ground at a depth of 15 cm.

For the first time, Opuntia cladodes were brought to the Mediterranean countries in the 16th century. Today they are so widespread in the territories of these countries that it seems that they have always grown here.

Interesting: cacti in many countries of the world are grown as agricultural plants. In 1992, FAO (a UN organization specializing in agriculture) published the Cactus pear network program to promote the spread of cacti as a fruit crop.

Edible fruit

In hot arid countries, the amazing Opuntia grows everywhere, the fruits of which can be eaten. The fruits formed on the cactus ripen, changing color from green to reddish-orange, sometimes purple. The color of ripe fruits is different, depending on the variety, for example, Opuntia small-haired has lilac-red fruits, and Opuntia Monacanta has burgundy.

Like the stems, they are covered with sharp thorns. Looking at the berries of Opuntia, it is difficult to imagine that they are edible, since the fruit does not look very appetizing and even menacing. But under the dense, prickly skin is a juicy sweet pulp that tastes like a pear. Large seeds can be caught in the pulp.

As a fruit crop, the fig Opuntia is most valued. It is also called the Indian cactus, royal cactus, sabr (or tsabr), prickly pear. It tastes like figs, due to which it got its name "Fig prickly pear".

Before eating a cactus fruit, it needs to be washed and peeled. Do it carefully, it is better to protect your hands with tight gloves. Holding it with a fork, cut off the "tops" with a knife, and then cut off the skin. If the fruit is eaten fresh, it is not necessary to remove the seeds from the pulp. You can just spit them out.

The fig prickly pear has a sweet and juicy pulp that quenches thirst and saturates well.It can be a great dessert or a snack. You can eat the fruits of Opuntia not only fresh. The fruit is used to prepare various desserts (marmalade, preserves, jam), they make delicious liqueur, as well as smoothies, fresh juices, cocktails, add to fruit salads, sauces, and make ice cream from them. The use of fruits in cooking is limited only by the imagination of the cook.

Opuntia as a vegetable

Not only the fruits of the Opuntia cactus are suitable for food. In Mexico, nopalito is considered a traditional vegetable. This is nothing more than young cactus cladodes. Many types of flat cacti are used for food, in particular, Indian Opuntia, Powerful Opuntia, Opuntia inermis.

After removing the thorns from the shoots and stems, they are eaten fresh, as part of salads, or cooked by blanching and frying. They can be added to vegetable, meat dishes, a variety of pies, including sweet ones. A popular Mexican dish - open cactus pie - tastes like the well-known "Charlotte". This is due to the high concentration of malic acid in the nopalitos pulp. And also juicy cactus treasures are pickled and canned.

Interesting: in the markets in Mexico, you can often find nopalitos already cleaned of prickly needles on sale. Often they are sold under the biologically incorrect name “cactus leaves”. In fact, nopalithos are stems.

Read also How to properly butcher a pig at home

Nopalitos is a low-calorie food. In 100 g of cactus pulp, about 35 kcal. It consists of 80% water, contains healthy fiber for the body, a large amount of vitamins C and A. There is practically no protein or fat in them, but there are a lot of carbohydrates that give the body energy.

Note: when cutting off young cladodes, mucus is released at the cut site, which looks repulsive and makes many people stop using nopalitos. But you can get rid of it by boiling nopalitos in salted water for a few minutes.

Recipes

Before starting cooking, you should clean the cladodia from thorns, rinse well. The berries must be peeled off.

Omelet

This is a traditional Mexican dish. To prepare it, you need the pulp of prickly pear, 2-3 chicken eggs, two tablespoons of flour, grated cheese, spices. The prickly pear leaf must be cut in such a way that it remains intact at the base, and the rest is 1 cm thick strips. The leaves are boiled for 20-25 minutes until soft. Eggs are broken into a cup, mixed with flour, salted. The pulp of the cactus is dipped in batter, put in a frying pan with heated olive oil. Fry on both sides, add spices. Sprinkle with grated cheese before serving. You can eat an omelet with tomato or creamy sauce.

Prickly pear salad

For cooking you will need: 2-3 prickly pear leaves, cucumber, celery stalk, canned peas. The cactus pulp is soaked in cold water for 15 minutes. Then the top layer of the peel is cut off. The leaves are cut into cubes with a side of 1 cm, boiled with boiling water for 10-15 minutes. This is necessary so that they soften and acquire pleasant taste properties. The cucumber and celery are chopped and placed in a salad bowl. Pieces of prickly pear, peas are also added there. The salad is dressed with balsamic sauce. You can add a pinch of ground chili.

Jelly

To make a beautiful jelly, you need to take the berries of prickly pears of red, yellow or cherry shades. For half a kilogram of fruit, take 500 ml of water, two tablespoons of sugar, a bag of gelatin. The berries are peeled and cut into slices. Put in a blender, beat until puree. The gelatin is diluted with a little warm water. Pour the berry puree into a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 10-15 minutes. Swollen gelatin is poured into the mixture, mixed. The mass is cooled, poured into molds, set to freeze.

From the history

Researcher Bernardino de Sahagun described Opuntia as a kind of tree. In his book "General history of affairs of New Spain", using the information of the Aztecs, he called the Opuntia "Nopalli", and the fruits "Nochtli". The cactus seemed to him a tree, with leaves, branches and berries covered with thorns. The traveler wrote that both the fruits and leaves of the plant are edible. New branches can be formed directly from the leaves, and inside all parts of Nopalli there are a large number of strong hard fibers - "veins". At the end of the story, it was announced that the plant is widespread in the local nature.

Interesting Facts

The Mexican Indians have a legend that the ancient Aztec state of Tenochtitlan was founded on the place where a large shrub of the prickly pear genus grew. At that time, the Aztecs did not have their own settlement and wandered in the mountains. Once they saw a cactus on which an eagle was sitting, having dealt with a large snake. This was interpreted by the leader as a good sign, and the Indians decided to found a city on this place. Now there is modern Mexico City (the capital of Mexico).

In the Sicilian province, a festival dedicated to prickly pears is held annually. It is celebrated in October, when the harvest has already been collected. The village is decorated with garlands, food stalls are erected. The main treat is the berries of the plant, but there are many other delicacies as well. You can taste delicious prickly pear liqueur, try different dishes from the queen of the holiday. In conclusion, fireworks are arranged.

Popular signs say that prickly pear in the house protects from the evil eye, attacks from ill-wishers. If the plant is placed on a windowsill or a table, then the sorcerers will not be able to damage the owner. And according to modern concepts, cacti neutralize electromagnetic radiation emanating from a computer, TV, etc.

There is also such a sign that prickly pear in the house is a sign of divorce. The plant attracts lovers with its energy and brings the relationship to decay. In the Middle Ages, ladies used this ability to eliminate a bored spouse. There is also an opinion that the cactus lives well in families where scandals and quarrels are frequent.

However, you should not blindly believe in prejudice. Passion for cacti indicates the unusual nature, love for everything extraordinary. Blooming prickly pears are a wonderful interior decoration that creates a positive mood for all households.

How to get rid of thorns from a cactus

Prickly pear needles are small and thin, but they cause the most painful sensations. Because of this, edible cactus fruits are considered no less dangerous than poisonous. And even when buying a cactus in a store, you do not need to take it with your hands. To get rid of thorns at home, you can use one of the following methods.

First, rinse the cactus with water to get rid of the small thorns. After that, take a paper towel folded in several layers and wipe the prickly pear well. There should be thorns on the towel that are not washed off with water.
Pre-freeze the cactus for a couple of hours. After the specified time, the thorns will disappear from it themselves.

But regardless of the option chosen, all manipulations with the fruit must be carried out with rubber gloves.

Varieties

On the territory of our country, cacti of this type are grown in the south in the open field, and in the middle lane - in greenhouses. Popular varieties:

White haired
Berger
The main
Lindheimer's prickly pear
Opuntia Subulata

White haired

This species is common in Mexico. Growing in natural conditions, the shrub can reach five meters in height. The surface of the leaves is strewn with white spines, giving the plant the appearance of a hairline. During flowering, beautiful yellow cups appear. Looks interesting in indoor flowerpots.

Berger

The plant is short, stretching up to one meter in length. This variety attracts the attention of gardeners for its unpretentiousness. It blooms with bright red buds. The leaves are thick, light green in color.

Home (main)

Plants of this species have an interesting surface color. It can be bluish or reddish. The flowers are pink with large petals. The habitat is South America.

Lindheimer's prickly pear

Looks great during flowering - large double buds of a sunny yellow hue bloom in abundance on the crowns of the plant. It can grow up to 3-3.5 meters. Therefore, it is recommended to plant this variety outdoors. The berries are purple in color.

Opuntia Subulata

Comes from Peru. A feature of the species are the spiny processes protruding from the trunk and branches. The flowers are pink, orange-red. This cactus looks more unusual than the rest of the prickly pears. The variety is not very tall - the maximum grows by 1 meter.

Growing problems

Even such an unpretentious cactus as Opuntia can be ruined by the wrong content and conditions of care, here are the frequent problems that growers face:

The main stem and branches stretch out, thin out, take an irregular shape - poor lighting. If signs appear in winter, an elevated temperature;
The surface of the cactus is wrinkled, the stems lose their elasticity, black or yellow spots with rotting flesh may appear at the base - excessive watering, especially affects the autumn-winter period;
Lack of new branches, stunted growth - old soil, lack of fertilizer, small pot, insufficient watering;
On the shoots, halos with dying tissue are formed - mechanical damage, pest damage, the influence of a draft or an open window in winter. In the summer, moisture deficiency can occur;
Black or dirty brown spots on the stems or leaves - rotting of the cactus due to high humidity, excessive watering, can be aggravated at low temperatures. Control method: local removal and disinfection of the cut site with chemicals.

What if it doesn't bloom?

To stimulate the growth of echinocactus, you can:

to take out in warm time to fresh air, in direct sunlight, to ensure a temperature drop at night;
feed with fertilizers during the growing season (liquid fertilizers for succulents);
providing a dormant period in winter;
follow the recommendations for plant care.

Species diversity of edible cacti and their fruits

In cooking, the fruits of various representatives of the Cactus family have long been used both fresh and as components of various dishes. Most species do not have a pronounced taste. Edible cacti of some species are often the basis for the production of delicious jams, liqueurs, syrups, molasses. The most common types of this plant that can be eaten are Opuntia, Mammillaria, Hilocereus, Selenicereus, Schlumberger.

What is fig prickly pear

An exotic plant from Cactaceae with red fruits, which are used in cooking for various dishes, is called Indian fig, fig, prickly pear, Indian prickly pear or fig. This species is distinguished by fruits with tasty juicy pulp. Having a Mexican origin, this plant has become widespread. Today the flower can be found in the Mediterranean countries, Brazil, Chile, Crimea.

Thus, prickly pear is the most popular edible cactus. The fig variety is an upright shrub that forms flat stems. During the flowering period, single large flowers appear. The stems of the plant are covered with microscopic transparent hooks (glochidia), which outwardly resemble fluff.

When ingested, they can cause pathological changes that are fatal. In case of contact with the skin, allergic reactions occur. Today the cactus is used in cooking, as a fodder crop, as a raw material for the production of a dye. This plant contains a large amount of nutrients, vitamin C, so they eat not only fruits, but stems and even flowers.

Mammillaria

This type of cactus is distinguished by its edible fruits of various types and shapes, which can grow throughout the year along with flowers. They taste sour when eaten raw. Delicious jam is made from them. A distinctive morphological feature of this plant is the presence of numerous papillae on the stem, from the tops of which needles grow. Flowers appear in the sinuses between the needles.

Mammillaria

Mammillaria can be oblong, round, disc-shaped or ball-shaped. The plant consists of a prickly and drooping part on which red, white or yellow flowers bloom. A characteristic feature of the flower is its developed root system. Fleshy thick roots are his trademark.

Hilocereus

This epiphyte is found in the wild in Vietnam on tree trunks. Hilocereus feeds on rotted foliage and dry branches. Its distinctive feature is its large flowers. The fruits of this plant are called pitahaya or pitaya. They have a characteristic crimson skin with green scales and white flesh. Pitahaya is quite large in size. Its weight can reach one kilogram.

Hilocereus

The fruits of this cactus are characterized by good taste and useful properties, therefore this crop is grown on an industrial scale. Due to their saturation with vitamins and minerals, they are recommended for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high blood cholesterol, and digestive disorders. The cactus is highly productive. Under normal conditions, it bears fruit 5-6 times a year. The largest exporters in the world are Thailand and Vietnam.

Selenicereus

The name of this species from South America is translated as "queen of the night". Aerial roots, thin shoots are the distinctive features of the cactus. In addition, this plant is characterized by very large royal flowers that bloom only at dusk.

Selenicereus

Before the first rays of the sun appear, they are closed. As a result of flowering, purple ovoid fruits are formed. They are characterized by juiciness, pleasant aroma and pronounced taste. For consumption, it is cut in two and a delicious healthy fruit is enjoyed.

Schlumberger

This representative of epiphytic plants is called zygocactus, which means "rocker". It got its main name in honor of the French lover of cactus flowers. This species comes from the tropical forests of South America.

Schlumberger

Its stems are small, flat segments with pointed edges. The plant blooms at the beginning of winter, delighting flower growers with beautiful flowers, white, pink and red. The plant bears fruit in December, producing juicy fleshy fruits that look like an apricot in appearance.

Healing cactus oil

In addition to ingestion, external use of prickly pear stems can also be beneficial. After removing the thorns, they are cut into plates and applied to various parts of the body.

Also, oil is made from the seeds of the plant by cold pressing.In Mexico, Chile or Peru, it can be purchased almost everywhere, in our country you can find it in online stores. It contains oleic, inolenic and stearic fatty acids, vitamins A and E, due to which it has a regenerating, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, analgesic effect. Opuntia cactus oil is rubbed into the skin:

it has an analgesic effect on rheumatism;
oil of Opuntia for the face has a rejuvenating effect, it can be added to a night cream and applied daily to improve the condition of the skin;
it is useful to use Opuntia oil for the face of adolescents suffering from acne;
Opuntia oil can be rubbed into the scalp to reduce hair loss;
For women, Opuntia face oil can be used as a means to prevent wrinkles and improve skin tone.

Opuntia cactus oil can also be prepared from the stems of the plant yourself. They are crushed and mixed with olive oil (in equal parts). The mixture is placed in a dark place and insisted for a week, after which it is filtered. Of course, the healing properties of homemade oil will not be as pronounced, but it retains many of the beneficial substances present in the prickly pear stems.

Advice: before using Prickly Pear oil on the face, test the product on an inconspicuous area of the skin to avoid allergic reactions.

Several legends and myths.

Rose gave flowers to the Opuntia cactus, in exchange for thorns, at their birthday, which they had on the same day. According to another version, Opuntia is an old dwarf with thick and spiny bristles. The copper coin in his hand turned into flowers. Another legend tells of the cactus flowers as a response to the beauty of the Queen Rose, who was admired by everyone around, but after the Opuntia flowers blossomed, the ruler herself accepted their beauty. The thorns are the claws donated by the fox, for the fact that the cactus saved her from the stone that wanted to crush the cheat. Opuntia needed needles to defend against ruminants like llamas or alpacas attacking her.

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Typical florist mistakes and reactions to them

Echinocactus Gruzoni is undemanding to care for. Nevertheless, he does not remain indifferent to the mistakes of the grower, reacting to them with a deterioration in appearance. To return the plant to its former decorativeness, you need to learn to understand what exactly does not suit him.

Table: how echinocactus Gruzoni reacts to florist errors

What does the plant look like?	What is the reason?
Vague beige-brown spots on the stem.	Low temperature content.
Light green or yellowish spots on the stem.	Nutrient deficiency.
Rusty, coppery or reddish spots on the stem.	The plant is standing in a cold draft or has suffered from a sudden change in lighting.
Black spots and mildew at the base of the trunk.	Excessive watering. Rot develops even faster if the room is cool.
The plant turns from a ball into a "cucumber", the thorns become thinner and longer, they break easily.	Lack of light.
The spines become thinner and deformed, the growth almost stops.	Lack of fertilizers. Other possible reasons are watering with cold water, frequent moving the pot from place to place, skipping a dormant period, transplanting without urgent need.
The plant bursts.	Unsuitable for cacti, too nutritious soil. The situation is aggravated by an excess of nitrogen or natural organic matter in the soil.
The stem dries out, wrinkles, hardens.	Too poor watering. Especially in the summer, in the heat, when the room is too hot.

Rusty spots on the stem appear due to the poor location of Gruzoni's echinocactus

Experienced cacti growers do not recommend placing these plants next to Saintpaulias (violets), believing that their pollen has a negative effect on their pets. There is no scientific evidence on this, but some prefer to play it safe, believing that it will not be worse in any case.