Opuntia: photos, types and care of a cactus at home

Opuntia is a diverse genus of cacti with a characteristic structure. Its branches are composed of many flat, rounded lobes. The homeland of the cactus is the vastness of Mexico and some areas of the Americas. In addition to its remarkable appearance, the plant has a number of useful properties and can produce delicious fruits. Caring for prickly pears is very simple, so many growers are happy to settle this exotic beauty from the Cactus family in their homes.

Species features

More than half of the prickly pear species grows in Mexico.

The prickly pear cactus is a creeping or erect shrub, usually small, although some species grow to the height of a tree. This succulent, capable of accumulating moisture in tissues, grows in savannas, deserts and semi-deserts of the tropics, subtropics.

The branches of the cactus are flat and succulent, divided into segments. Modified axillary buds are located on the stems, from which new shoots, flowers, small or large thorns can grow.

Single large flowers of red, orange or yellow color appear from April to September. The fruits of many types of prickly pear are juicy and sweet edible berries that contain a large amount of vitamin C. The seeds are flat, covered with a hard skin.

Garden prickly pear looks great on alpine hills, flower beds, among rocky embankments. This is a frost-resistant cactus that easily tolerates winter frosts down to -10 ° C in a flower bed, develops well when grown at home. But for indoor cultivation, it is better to take undersized plants. Large specimens, growing, take up a lot of free space and do not look so impressive in a small enclosed room.

Most tall species of prickly pear do not bloom when grown indoors.

Varieties

Frost-resistant cacti of the Opuntia genus are represented by the following species.

• White-haired prickly pear (Opuntia leucotricha). The white-pubescent cactus, originating from Mexico, grows up to 5 m in height. Jointed shoots 10–20 cm long form an unusual, beautiful crown. Flowers of yellow color are large, up to 8 cm in diameter. Fruits are edible, very fragrant.
• Berger's prickly pear (Opuntia bergeriana). A cactus with bright light green shoots 20–25 cm long, covered with yellow or brownish spines of various lengths. The plant is one meter tall and is characterized by abundant flowering. The color of the flowers is orange-yellow.
• Opuntia gosselina (Opuntia gosseliniana). A common species that came from Mexico and Southern California. The fast growing cactus blooms with beautiful yellow flowers. Shoots are colored blue-green with a grayish tinge, covered with soft long (up to 10 cm) thorns.
• Opuntia main (Opuntia basilaris). A cactus with blue-green or reddish segments is covered with a few spines. Blossoming - pink or red buds. This species grows rather slowly, it is characterized by increased sensitivity to waterlogging.
• Articulated prickly pear (Opuntia Articulatus). Cactus with erect stems. Segments about 10 cm long have a spherical, slightly elongated shape with tubercles. Glochidia (tiny unicellular hairs with numerous downward-curved hooks) are red.There are very few spines (up to 4) or they are completely absent. Pink or white flowers are not too large - up to 4 cm in diameter.
• Prickly pear (Opuntia microdasys). A low-growing cactus widespread in domestic culture with small rounded segments covered with beautiful golden-yellow glochidia. The flower petals are golden yellow on the inside, whitish on the outside.
• Pink-flowered prickly pear (Opuntia rhodantha). The winter-hardy look is the best decoration for the alpine slides. Correct and regular care of the pink-flowered crop will ensure good development of the plant with a glossy brown color with beautiful thorns and purple-pink flowers similar to roses. The segments are rather thick, elongated, medium-sized, but highly branched.

Glochidia - hairs with downward hooks, the tips of which are visible only under a microscope, dig into the skin at the slightest touch.

Healing properties

It's amazing that a plant like a cactus can have a healing effect. But it is so. Opuntia is a medicinal flower that is widely used in traditional and folk medicine.The medicinal properties of the plant are due to its constituent parts:

• glucose;
• proteins;
• alkaloids and flavonoids;
• carotene and ascorbic acid;
• minerals;
• vegetable mucus, starch, dietary fiber;
• glycosides and other useful compounds.

Medicinal properties of cactus juice and decoction:

1. hemostatic;
2. astringent;
3. anti-inflammatory;
4. cleansing;
5. antiseptic;
6. wound healing;
7. diuretic;
8. fortifying.

The sap of the plant is a natural antibiotic, cleanses the body of toxins and improves metabolism, eliminates headaches and normalizes blood pressure, can be used as a remedy for a hangover and for weight loss. When applied externally, it promotes rapid wound healing.

Side effects and contraindications

Opuntia and preparations based on it are not recommended for taking with individual intolerance to plant components, exacerbated hemorrhoids and chronic cystitis. Side effects when taken are manifested in the form of a headache that suddenly appeared half an hour after the use of prickly pear, nausea, vomiting, red spots on the body. With such manifestations, treatment should be stopped immediately.

The prickly pear spines, disguised as delicate fluff, are very dangerous and difficult to remove.... If even one is swallowed, erosion of the esophagus, stomach or intestines is inevitable. The first signal of alarm is pain, after which the inflammatory process develops. It is possible to remove the embedded needle only by an operation method.

Due to its healing properties, prickly pear is recognized by both folk and traditional medicine. Preparations based on this cactus have been successfully used for many years in the fight against ailments, and also allow for effective prevention.

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Conditions of detention

Caring for prickly pears is not particularly difficult. In nature, it grows in semi-deserts and steppe regions, on mountain slopes. The plant is accustomed to temperature extremes throughout the day. And in room conditions, the main care is reduced to providing good lighting and access to fresh air.

If there was not enough light in the cold season, in spring the cactus must be accustomed to bright lighting gradually, otherwise the plant will get burned.

Place of cultivation

The resistant cactus takes root well and can grow in one place for a very long time. It is better to plant prickly pears in an open, sunny area. Bright direct light without shading will not harm the plant. When decorating an alpine slide, it is better to place the flower in the center. In the conditions of the apartment, the optimal place is the southern and southeastern windows and balconies.

On the eastern and western windows, prickly pear grows worse, and when placed from the north, it stretches and does not bloom due to lack of light.

Temperature regime

Since prickly pear is a succulent and accumulates moisture, a hot climate is preferable for it. In summer, the cactus can be kept at temperatures from 25 to 35 ° C, preferably in the fresh air. If this is not possible, you need to regularly ventilate the room.

In autumn, in order to prepare prickly pear for the dormant period, the temperature of the content must be gradually reduced. In winter, the cactus is kept in a dry and light, cool room. The optimum temperature is determined by the type of plant, is:

• from -5 to 5 ° С - for species whose natural habitat is the west and center of the United States (some species can be kept in open ground, since they winter well under the snow);
• from 0 to 5 ° С - for varieties native to Mexico;
• from 7 to 12 ° C - for South American varieties.

At higher temperatures, the cactus does not enter the resting phase, it stretches and loses its decorative appearance.

Watering

Despite the ability to store water, the plant needs abundant watering. In very hot weather, watering the plant should not be so much, be sure in the evenings. If the required level of humidity is not provided, the cactus begins to wither, but when watering is resumed, it quickly recovers. In winter, waterlogging of the plant should also not be allowed - the prickly pear will die from excess moisture.

At the end of summer, watering is reduced to stop growth and prepare the cactus for a dormant period. In winter, the resting plant is not watered (with the exception of young specimens). In the spring, watering is resumed, but the amount of introduced moisture is gradually increased.

It is important to ensure that the earthen lump dries out completely between waterings. Better to do bottom watering so that the water does not fall on the stems. It is recommended to take water for irrigation settled and slightly acidified with citric acid (1/4 teaspoon per 3.5 liters of water).

Soil and dressing

For good growth, the plant needs a loose earth with a slightly acidic reaction of the medium (pH from 4.5 to 6), which is well permeable to moisture and air. Ready-made soil mixture for prickly pear cacti is not suitable - it slows down the growth of the plant. Optimally, if the soil will include:

• sod land (1 part);
• leaf substrate (2 parts);
• weathered clay (1 part);
• sand (1 part);
• some charcoal.

So that the water does not stagnate during watering, and the flower does not rot, the root collar of the plant should be sprinkled with pebbles during planting.

The prickly pear is fed with complex fertilizers for flowering cacti. Top dressing is applied every two weeks. In autumn and winter, there is no need for flower feeding - the prickly pear is resting. It is prohibited to use organic fertilizers for prickly pears.

Fertilizers for prickly pear should contain minimal amounts of nitrogen, since an excess of this element can provoke root rot.

Chemical composition

The fig prickly pear contains:

1. Albumin and various alkaloids.
2. Natural antibiotic that inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms.
3. Hormones, dyes, enzymes, etc.

The presence of fatty acids:

• Omega 6.
• Linoleic polyunsaturated acid.
• Saturated palmitic acid.
• Oleic, which belongs to monounsaturated acids.

In general, the plant affects the water and electrolyte balance of a person. This is important in hot climates where fig prickly pear grows.

Also the plant has the following beneficial properties:

1. Reduces the activity of platelets, thereby having a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system.

2. 
   Eliminates inflammation.

3. The plant contains 8 essential amino acids. Perhaps this is the only plant that contains so many of these substances in its composition at once.
4. Helps fight obesity.
5. It is used as an aid in osteoporosis.
6. If you use oil from plant seeds, then it eliminates age-related changes in the skin, softens it, restores the structure of the dermis.

Extract

In pharmacies, you can find fig prickly pear extract. More often it is used for weight loss purposes. It affects the restriction of the absorption of fats that are delivered with food. Thus, the calorie content of any food consumed by a person is reduced. In addition, the medicine has a positive effect on the skin.

If you plan to grow fig prickly pear, we advise you to read the information on how to create optimal conditions for its growth. In addition, you may be interested in learning about the varieties of this plant.

Transfer

It is impossible to say for sure when it is better to transplant prickly pear. The optimal time is determined by the geographic location and climate, the place of cultivation (a pot on a windowsill, a greenhouse or a greenhouse). Usually, flower growers transplant during the period of active growth of the cactus. But if the plant has buds, it is possible to transplant prickly pear only after flowering. Young cacti are transplanted annually (if necessary), adults - no more than once every 3-4 years.

The plant must be transplanted when the potting soil is completely dry. In the new container, the soil must also be dry. You can water a cactus only after 5-7 days. Until then, he is kept in the shade.

How to cook?

Prickly pears are harvested at any time of the year, for this, plants are suitable, the age of which does not exceed two years. The very first stage in the preparation of prickly pear raw materials for processing is the removal of its strong sharp thorns and hairs. The rind must be left.
The leaves are fleshy, so they are not dried but used fresh. A tincture is prepared from the raw material obtained. Also, flowers can be used in addition to leaves to prepare a medicinal solution. The first option is better suited for the treatment of obesity, diabetes and dysbiosis, and the second - for heart disease.

Leaf tincture

1. Steam the chopped leaves with boiling water.
2. Insist for a week.
3. Take the resulting solution by diluting 2 teaspoons in 50 ml. water.

The infusion, when properly prepared, will have a viscous slimy consistency.

Flower tincture

1. Cactus flowers are poured with vodka in a ratio of 4: 1.
2. The composition is kept in a dark cool place for a week.
3. Consume 15-20 drops twice a day, diluting a little with water.

If you plan to use the medicinal properties of prickly pear to treat the skin, the peeled leaves must be crushed and squeezed out of juice.

Reproduction

Reproduction of prickly pears is carried out:

• cuttings;
• seeds.

Cuttings

The optimal time for cuttings is spring and the first half of summer. The cut cutting should dry out during the day - this will help to avoid rotting. Then it is dropped into wet sand, kept under a glass cover at a temperature of 20 ° C. Conditions for rapid rooting: bottom heating of the soil, regular ventilation, spraying. When the root system is formed, the cuttings are planted in a suitable soil substrate.

Young plants (up to 2 years old), unlike adult specimens, need to be shaded from direct sun.

Seeds

Reproduction by seeds is a troublesome, but quite interesting procedure, which includes several stages.

1. The seeds are soaked for 10 minutes in a solution of potassium permanganate.
2. Damage the thick shell (with a file, sandpaper).
3. A drainage layer is laid on the bottom of the container, soil is poured on top, consisting of rotted sheet earth (part), clean river sand (part), crushed charcoal (½ part).
4. Seeds are sown in the ground, covered with a film.

Crop care includes:

• content at a temperature of 20 ° C;
• regular ventilation;
• spraying the soil.

The emerging seedlings dive into separate pots. The next time they are transplanted in a year.Care is carried out as for an adult plant.

What is the best time of the year to propagate a cactus?

Due to its exotic appearance and beautiful flowers, prickly pear is very popular in home floriculture. Its reproduction is not a very difficult matter, but it also has its own characteristics.

The ideal time for cactus breeding is spring and summer.... Cuttings root easily from May to September, and seeds are best sown in March. If you propagate prickly pear during this period, then difficulties with rooting happen quite rarely, since small plants are filled with vitality.

But in winter, a young shoot may not take root, since winter for cacti is a time of rest. This should be done only if the prickly pear is saved, if the plant is sick and may die completely.

Bloom

When grown indoors, prickly pears rarely bloom, which may be due to slow cactus growth or improper care. If buds appear on prickly pears, it is very important:

1. do not move the flower to a lighter place and do not rotate the flower pot;
2. adhere to the previous watering regime;
3. refuse to transplant the plant until it fades;
4. do not apply additional fertilizer.

Otherwise, the prickly pear will drop its buds or the flowers will be reborn into vegetative shoots (children).

Botanical description

Opuntia are common in the arid subtropics and savannas. They live on sandy and sandy loam soil, preferring small hills. The rhizome of the plant does not go deep into the depths and is very branched. On the surface are fleshy flat lobes with rounded shapes. They can be attached to each other in a very intricate way and vary greatly in size. The entire surface of the prickly pear is covered with long, hard spines. In nature, there are not only erect dense thickets, but also creeping forms of cactus with drooping stems.

The flowering of prickly pears begins in April and lasts until the end of August. Small green bumps form on the surface of the rib, which quickly grow and acquire a pinkish tint. A bell-shaped flower consists of several rows of wide, slender petals. The color of flowers can be of all shades of pink, crimson, scarlet and burgundy. There are decorative forms with yellow, orange and white colors. Flowering in nature occurs very abundantly, but in culture it is very difficult to achieve it.

Fleshy cylindrical berries ripen in place of flowers after pollination. The juicy, sweet pulp contains many large seeds. The prickly pear can develop a new shoot from the fruit, which will subsequently also release flowers. At the same time, seeds are not tied in the pulp. This unpredictability of development is called proliferation.

Diseases and pests

The prickly pear is most often attacked by a spider mite, scale insect, mealybug. As for other problems in growing, they are mainly associated with improper care.

1. When wintering in a warm room and a lack of light in summer, the prickly pear stretches out, the shape of the stem changes.
2. The stem, wrinkled at the end, and spots of rot at the base, appear when the soil is waterlogged in cloudy or cold weather.
3. Insufficient soil moisture in summer and waterlogging in winter lead to a slowdown or complete cessation of cactus growth.
4. Cork spots on the stem can appear when it is mechanically damaged, attacked by pests, hypothermia or lack of watering in summer.
5. Stem rot (soft brown spots) rarely affects the plant with proper care. But if this happens, you need to cut out the affected area, disinfect the soil with a solution of carbendazim.

So that the plant does not get sick again, it is recommended to revise the conditions for keeping the flower.

How long can the workpiece be stored?

The prickly pear stems can be stored for several weeks whole, or cut into pieces, but it is important to remember that the acidity of the raw material decreases over time. You can extend the shelf life by pickling or drying the stems..

Opuntia is a useful plant, but if you decide to grow it at home, then articles on plant species, as well as on reproduction and care, will come in handy.

Purchase features

You can buy prickly pear in a specialized flower shop, greenhouse. The cost of a plant will be determined by its size and variety:

• mix (height 10 cm) - 140 rubles;
• fine-haired (25 cm) - 1,800 rubles;
• blue (15 cm) - 1 900;
• main (15 cm) - 1200;
• Indian (15 cm) - 1,000 rubles;
• berger (20 cm) - 1 100;
• white-haired (35 cm) - 4,500.

Opuntia does not require close attention and is ideal for those who cannot devote too much time to indoor plants. Providing an unusual exotic flower with minimal care, you can grow a strong and healthy plant, and possibly wait for the blooming of a prickly handsome man.

Types of prickly pear

There are about 160 plant species in the prickly pear genus. Many of them are simply gigantic. Among those suitable for indoor cultivation, the following varieties are distinguished:

Opuntia is small-haired. The plant is a large branched shrub up to 1 m high. Ovate stems are covered with rare areoles with single hard spines. It blooms with light yellow flowers in the form of bells with a diameter of 3-5 cm. In place of the flowers, red-purple berries ripen in the form of a small barrel.

Prickly pear

Berger's prickly pear. The tall, bushy plant has a bright green stem. Ovate lobes grow up to 25 cm in length. In rare areoles, yellowish long spines are located. During the flowering period, it is abundantly covered with orange-yellow bells.

Berger's prickly pear

Long-necked prickly pear. This creeping plant consists of small, light green lobes. The length of each segment does not exceed 4 cm. Their surface is densely covered with thin, short needles. The orange flowers are in the shape of a wide-open bell.

Long-boned prickly pear

The prickly pear is brittle. The short, erect plant consists of highly branched stems. A distinctive feature is that the lobes are rounded rather than flattened. The segments are only 2–3 cm long. Very short whitish spines are located in small areoles. It blooms with light yellow flowers.

Brittle prickly pear

Brazilian prickly pear home care. Opuntia subulata

This species is quite interesting and differs due to the rudimentary foliage. And in the places of their joints with the central trunk, elongated, hair-like spines - glochidia - stand out. The spines are sparse and hard to the touch. Inflorescences in the buds of a scarlet shade.

Opuntia fig or Indian reaches a height of almost 4 meters. Leaves - segments have an olive shade with hardened and sparse glochidia. The inflorescences of prickly pears are similar to terry poppies. The shade of the flowers is bright orange. The fruits of this species are about 8 cm in length.

Opuntia monacanth variegata is quite an interesting species, suitable for home cultivation. With its salad shade, the cactus is similar to sea coral. The surface is smooth with light red spines.

Imbricate prickly pear is native to the southern United States. The shoots of this species are hard, the spines are about 3 centimeters long, chocolate shade. The inflorescences are purple.

Brazilian prickly pear is a woody species reaching a height of almost twenty meters. The personality of this species is the different forms of stems on one plant. On the edges of the shoots, segments of an oval, oblong shape and about 14 cm in length grow. Thorns on one bud appear up to three pieces. Inflorescences are yellow.

The use of prickly pear in traditional medicine

As already mentioned, this plant has a number of beneficial properties, therefore it is used for many ailments.

With inflammation of the outer integument

It is necessary to squeeze the juice from the fresh leaves of Opuntia, pre-crushing and removing the thorns, and then at least twice a day wipe the affected areas with a cotton swab dipped in juice or even drip juice from a pipette onto the wounds.

With pneumonia

It is worth making a decoction from this plant. To do this, 50 grams of pre-crushed leaves must be poured with 100 grams of water and brought to a boil. You need to cook for about half an hour to end up with 100 grams of broth. Next, the resulting liquid is filtered and taken three times a day, 1 teaspoon.

With measles

In a similar way, the prepared broth is taken 2 tablespoons three times a day, regardless of food intake.

For obesity, for weight loss

It is advised to eat at least 100 grams of crushed prickly pear leaves daily. It has a fat burning effect, while providing the body with vitamins. It is advisable to eat it before meals, since the fibers of this plant swell in the stomach and this leads to a feeling of fullness, at the same time, while receiving a minimum amount of calories. These fibers absorb fat fibers, but they themselves are not absorbed in the intestines, leaving and excreting fats along the way, instead of remaining in the body.

Photo and video

In the photo the cactus "Opuntia":

Useful video for caring for a cactus:

Ways of eating prickly pear fruits

Cactus fruits in cooking

Fruit preparation

Before eating cactus fruits, you need to prepare them. The first step is to remove all thorns. This must be done in two stages. In this case, it is imperative to protect your hands with thick rubber gloves, and even better to hold the fruit with wide tweezers. First, thoroughly rinse the prickly pear under a strong pressure of cold water. This will get rid of the smallest thorns. Larger thorns can be removed by wiping the fruit with a paper towel folded several times.

Since fruits that have already been peeled from thorns most often go on sale, you just have to thoroughly rinse them with running water.

After making sure that the surface is free of thorns, it is necessary to remove the dense, tough skin (although in some cases it must be left). To do this, cut off the ends of the fruit. Then make a longitudinal cut. Then gently peel back and remove the skin.

Another option for eating cactus fruits is to simply cut them in half and spoon out the pulp. You can eat the product with or without seeds.

Cactus recipes

A wide variety of dishes can be prepared from prickly pears. Most often it is used as an integral part of desserts. It can be a part of fruit salad, jam is made from it, jams, confitures, fruit drinks are made, fried in sweet gravy.

But the fruits of the cactus can also be used in the preparation of hot meat dishes. They make sweet and sour sauces and gravies.

You can also bake the fruit in the oven directly in the peel. In this case, it is removed just before use.

Cactus fruit: can be eaten or used as a folk remedy

Cold remedy

If you love cactus fruits, you can prepare a delicious medicine for cough, bronchitis, sore throat. To do this, you will need:

1. Opuntia fruits - 2 parts;
2. Honey - 2 parts;
3. Marshmallow root syrup - 1 part.

Grind the cactus thoroughly, mix with other ingredients and consume 1-2 teaspoons every 3 hours. You can drink it with warm milk or tea. This product can be stored in a cool place for about a week. It is well suited for both the treatment and prevention of colds.

Antipyretic decoction

If your temperature rises, try cactus broth. Add 3 parts cold water to 1 part of the fruit.Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for another five minutes. Strain and after cooling down, drink half a glass 1-2 times a day.

Cactus juice against otitis media

If you squeeze juice from fresh cactus fruits, you can replace ear drops against otitis media with it. They use it in the same way - instill 2-3 drops in each ear.

Keep in mind, however, that this type of inflammation is quite serious. If not properly treated, it can lead to hearing loss. Therefore, it is best to consult an experienced doctor before using any folk remedies.

Wound healing compresses

With the help of prickly pears, damaged tissues can be quickly restored. To do this, grind its fruits well enough, making a gruel out of them. It should be applied to wounds or ulcers on the body, securing it from above with a bandage. Change the compress at least 2 times a day.

Pot material and size

For planting prickly pears no matter what material the pot is made of, any flower vase will don. It should be wide and shallow. The main factor is the mandatory presence of a drainage hole at the bottom of the tank. The hole can be one large (up to 0.5 mm in diameter) or several small ones.

If a pot with a cactus is planned to be installed on furniture and the flow of water is undesirable, then it is necessary to form a thick layer of drainage at the bottom of the flowerpot. The size of the pot depends on the size of the plant. In a large container, the cactus will grow roots and grow more slowly.

Cuttings

Cutting is considered the easiest way to propagate prickly pears.... However, with prolonged and frequent reproduction of a cactus by cuttings, the quality of the plant becomes lower and lower.

How to choose and prepare cuttings?

When propagating by cuttings, it is important that the children cut for planting are fully ripe. Segments can be used only after the cylindrical leaves growing from the areoles have completely fallen off.

1. You need to cut the stalk with a sterile blade, and sprinkle the cut points of both parts of the plant with crushed charcoal or sulfur powder.
2. The stalk must be dried in an upright position by placing it in a glass.
3. When the cut is tightened, the process can be rooted.

Step-by-step instruction

After the cut point of the cutting has dried, it can be rootedby doing the following:

1. prepare disposable plastic cups with pre-made drainage holes in the bottom;
2. fill the cups with soil mixture, as for an adult plant;
3. deepen the stalk into the substrate by 2-3 cm.

The conditions for rooting the cuttings are the same as for an adult plant, but without feeding. After 3-4 weeks, the first roots should appear.

Important! The stalk will be more viable if you cut the growing one closer to the top of the cactus.

We suggest you watch a video about grafting and rooting of prickly pears:

Useful properties of cactus fruits, possible harm

The peoples that inhabited the American continent in ancient times used cacti to escape hunger and thirst. Doctors note that the fruits of the plant help with:

1. diabetes mellitus;
2. hypertension;
3. atherosclerosis;
4. renal failure as a diuretic;
5. arthritis, gout.

Useful properties of Opuntia

A large amount of ascorbic acid in Opuntia helps to strengthen the body's defenses, save from colds. You can relieve an elevated body temperature by drinking three liters of water with the addition of Opuntia fruit juice. The fruit used to be used to treat scurvy. The cactus pulp applied to the wounds accelerates their healing, stops bleeding.

There are no absolute contraindications for using the plant in cooking, traditional medicine. It is forbidden to try it for those who are prone to allergic reactions. You can not eat the fruits of Opuntia for persons with kidney stones, as the juice of the berries will provoke their movement. Excessive passion for fruit will lead to vomiting, headaches.

Opuntia cactus: medicinal properties and health benefits

Prickly pear is used for food production as well as in alternative medicine therapies, as it contains a huge amount of nutrients and therefore potential health benefits.

It is consumed immediately after the reliable, razor-sharp thorns have been removed. Raw cactus fruits are ideal for making fruit salads, cocktails. This type of fruit is even used to make jams or other delicious dishes, even with chili peppers. Let's take a closer look at the medicinal properties and unique health ingredients found inside the prickly pear.

1) Strengthening the immune system

They say that one serving of prickly pear contains more than 1/3 of the total daily value of vitamin C.

The renowned ascorbic acid strengthens the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells and also acts as an antioxidant throughout the body. Vitamin C is needed by the body to support various enzymatic and metabolic processes, including the creation of bone and muscle tissue.

2) Digestion

The blades of the cactus are quite specific in shape, they are very fibrous and contain a sufficient amount of dietary fiber. As we all know, dietary fiber is important for the digestive process because it is added to bowel movements, which then more easily pass through the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract.

They also stimulate bowel movements (all movement along the tract) and reduce symptoms of diarrhea and constipation. In addition, excess fiber in the body can actively reduce cholesterol, thereby protecting your heart health.

3) To build strong teeth and bones

Calcium is an essential part of the human diet, and prickly pear contains significant amounts of calcium in every serving. Calcium is involved in the creation of bone tissue in the body. In fact, 99% of the calcium in the body is found in bones and teeth.

By providing our body with enough calcium, we can prevent many dental problems as well as age-related bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

4) For weight loss

Several ingredients found in prickly pear help you lose weight. Fiber aids digestion (the stomach feels full) and inhibits the release of ghrelin, a hunger hormone that decreases overeating and hunger when released.

In addition, this plant is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, which means it is packed with metabolic potential. Therefore, the body works at a higher level without gaining weight. The presence of vitamins B6, thiamine, riboflavin accelerates metabolic function, maximizes fat burning and the conversion of food into useful energy.

5) Improving the work of the heart

Opuntia is made up of several ingredients that are good for heart health. Therefore, the medicinal properties of prickly pear work even for the main organ of the body. The high fiber content in the fruit helps to lower the level of "bad" cholesterol in the body, while the sufficient amount of potassium helps to lower blood pressure, relax blood vessels and, accordingly, reduce the stress on the heart and the entire cardiovascular system.

Finally, the betalains found in prickly pear are directly related to strengthening the endothelial walls of blood vessels, thereby reducing the likelihood of weakening or damage to the system. Betalains are a class of red or yellow indole pigment derivatives that replace anthocyanins. As a result, lowering cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressure, and strengthening blood vessels can prevent the development of atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and strokes.

6) Metabolic activity

The prickly pear cactus consists of a significant amount of minerals.It contains thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin B6 - all of which are vital components of cellular metabolism and normal, regulated enzyme function throughout the body.

If organ systems and hormonal balance are improved, the body will work more efficiently, which will accordingly help increase weight loss, promote healthy muscle gain and natural recovery from many diseases.

7) Cancer prevention

Opuntia contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and betalains, all of which act as antioxidant compounds and help neutralize free radicals before they cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous ones.

Studies have shown that people who often add these types of antioxidants to their diets are less likely to get cancer. The prickly pear cactus is considered one of the most beneficial foods for overcoming cancer, as it contains enough antioxidants.

For restful sleep

Prickly pear contains magnesium, which is a beneficial mineral for promoting a sense of sleep in people suffering from insomnia, long-term anxiety, or anxiety. It triggers the release of serotonin in the body, which leads to an increase in melatonin levels. Plus, it has a somewhat sedative effect, which means it reduces nerve function and soothes the body, helping you fall asleep.

9) From ulcers

The cactus is traditionally used to treat stomach ulcers. Apparently, the gum and fibrous material that are present in prickly pears help inhibit the development of stomach ulcers, especially those that develop due to excessive alcohol consumption. So people who regularly suffer from this painful condition should add just a little of the fruits of the plant to their diet in order to significantly improve their quality of life!

10) With diabetes mellitus

Extracts from prickly pear cactus leaves are powerful regulators of glucose levels in the body. For patients with type 2 diabetes, the extract can cause a decrease in the spike in glucose levels after a meal, making diabetes management much easier. Regular consumption of prickly pears is recommended to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes.

11) For beautiful skin

The phytochemicals and antioxidants in prickly pear provide a good defense mechanism against premature signs of aging such as wrinkles and age spots. Free radicals left over from cellular metabolism can negatively affect the skin, but eating prickly pears keeps your skin looking healthy, youthful and fresh.

Opuntia in food:

• Fruit and green leaves are edible.

• The fruits are eaten fresh or processed into drinks, fruit salads, etc., as with Indian prickly pears.

• Fruit is best added to candy, jelly, juice, or wine.

• The tender young pads or cladodes are known as "Nopalitos Verdes".

• They are commonly eaten fresh or prepared as green vegetables in Mexico and the United States.

• Omelettes with prickly pear cactus are common in the southwestern United States.

• Delicate cactus leaves or pads called Nopales are often used in boiled or fried vegetable dishes, especially in Mexican cuisine.

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How to eat prickly pear cactus fruits

For the first time, the Aztecs became interested in delicious juicy berries. They used them raw and boiled. The product was appreciated for its taste and nutritional qualities.

In the description of a trip to "New Spain", dated 1560, it is indicated that the pulp is so nutritious that it is impossible to eat much.

Before eating prickly pear fruits, they need to be cleaned of thorns. To do this, wear thick leather gloves and make sure running water is available.

The surface of the berry must be carefully sanded or brushed with a soft metal dish brush. Then it is carried out with gloved fingers under running water to wash off the remnants of the thorns.After that, it is better to change thick gloves to thin ones, take the fruit in your hand and make a longitudinal incision on both sides. Only then can you take it with your bare hands.

Can I be planted in open ground?

Opuntia can be planted in open ground, but the southern regions of Russia, Crimea or the Caucasus, where winters are very mild, are most suitable for this.

An ideal place for planting prickly pears in open ground will be a well-lit and wind-sheltered place. An alpine slide, the uppermost part of it, can become such a place. For a cactus, it should be warm in summer and dry in winter. Drainage is also required.

The soil for prickly pear planted in open ground should be light, loose, sandy, with fine gravel and expanded clay. To prevent the cactus from rotting when watering, its root collar should be sprinkled with fine gravel. Over the summer, the prickly pear will grow and get stronger.

There are winter-hardy flowering species of prickly pear:

• polycant;
• Darwin;
• pheokanta;
• fragilis;
• gingerbread.

Opuntia is not only beautiful, but also useful. We talked about the medicinal properties of prickly pear, as well as cactus fruits, about the extract and oil from seeds in our other materials.

How to eat the fruits of Opuntia

For those who have never tasted the fruits of a cactus, it is important to know how to use them for food. After all, the fruits have a thick peel and are studded with needles.

Rules for pulling needles from fruits

Mammillaria cactus spines

On the barbarian fig, as the Mexicans call the berries of Opuntia, there are many small and large needles. Because of this, when picking berries, they cover their hands with gloves made of thick and durable rubber. When removing edible fruits from a cactus, they are held in place with wide tongs.

You can remove the smallest, most unpleasant prickles from Opuntia by placing the fruits under a strong stream of water. She will wash off the bushes of miniature thorns. Tweezers are used to remove large needles. Another way is to pull the thorns out with your hands wrapped in a cotton napkin. The procedure is carried out over the sink so that the needles do not fall on the floor.

If, nevertheless, the thorns are stuck in the skin of the hands, then they are carefully pulled out with tweezers. The most convenient way to remove the needles is to pre-freeze the fruit. After removing them from the freezer, shake off the thorns into the cooked dishes.

How to peel off the skin so as not to prick while eating

The hardness and density of the outer shell of the berries will become an obstacle to eating them. Therefore, it is necessary to remove the thick skin by the following methods:

• Holding the fruit with a fork, cut off the rind from both ends of the fruit.
• Then the fruit is cut longitudinally with a sharp knife.
• Having hooked the edge of the skin, carefully remove it from the whole berry.
• Now it remains to cut the pulp and feast on the unusual fruit.

If there is no time to completely peel the edible fruits from the cacti, then you can simply cut them, choosing the pulp with a spoon. They are consumed together with the bright, juicy mass and the seeds inside.

Spread

The homeland of sabra is Mexico. It is now also cultivated in the Mediterranean countries, Brazil, Chile, India, Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Madagascar. On the South Coast of Crimea, it occurs everywhere in small groups in a feral state.

Recipes for dishes with prickly pear fruits

Cactus fruits are added to salads, boiled, baked, desserts are made. They are used as an aromatic additive in liqueur or various cocktails.

Recipes with prickly pear fruits:

• Jam. The berries are peeled and seeds selected. This is a rather laborious task, but if you leave them, it will be difficult to eat very tasty jam. Fruits without seeds are covered with sugar in a 1: 1 ratio and wait until the juice is released. Then the jam is brought to readiness over low heat until it thickens. Lemon juice, about 1/3 cup, and a little cinnamon must be added to the container with berries 5 minutes before turning off. Without additives, the dessert will be too cloying, and if the amount of sugar decreases, it will “ferment” during storage.
• Jam with white wine. A large lemon is washed, dried, the ends are cut off from 2 sides, and then finely chopped together with the skin, first into thick rings, then cut into several pieces. Peeled seedless prickly pear berries are chopped into small pieces, with a face size of 1.5x1.5 cm or 2x2. It is not necessary to be smaller, otherwise the form will not be saved. Chopped lemon is poured with 300 g of sugar and left for 1.5-2 hours until juice appears. 650 g of sugar is mixed with a glass of white wine and boiled until smooth. You do not need to remove the foam. When the syrup melts, put lemon and sugar in it, mix everything and simmer for 5 minutes. Only after boiling, 950 g of sabra cubes are carefully placed in a container with syrup. Cook until thick, gently removing foam. If you decide to mix, you should do it carefully. Then the confiture with pieces of berries is laid out in the jars, and it should thicken exactly there. When it cools down, roll up the lids.
• Mexican salad. The calculation of the product is carried out for 2 portions. The ingredients are expensive, so every gram of the delicacy counts. First, cut into equal pieces of 30 g of peppers, sweet yellow and red, dense tomatoes, mix with 20 g of canned corn. Add 60 g of avocado pulp, several half rings of red onion, 6-7 black olives, cut in half, 70 g of fresh prickly pears, cut into cubes, to the slicing. Season with olive oil, sprinkle with freshly squeezed lime juice and season to taste with black pepper, salt and finely chopped cilantro. If you want a "real" Mexican flavor, add enough pepper to burn your tongue.
• Candied fruits of prickly pear. Dense fruits without a shell, 600 g, cut into identical circles, and then divide them in half. The thickness of the circles should be at least 6 cm. Boil syrup - 400 ml of water and 400 g of sugar, juice of 1 lemon. When the sugar is completely melted, the prickly pear is dipped in a saucepan and boiled for 3 minutes. Allow to cool and boil again. The process is repeated until the syrup thickens. Then the pieces of prickly pear are spread on parchment, sprinkled with powdered sugar and allowed to dry.
• Caramelized sabr. Cut the prickly pear fruits into equal pieces. In this case, the seeds do not need to be removed. They are easy to extract from candies during use. Heat sugar with a minimum amount of granulated sugar. The calculation is as follows: for 1 kg of berry pulp, 10 tablespoons of sugar. Cubes of fruit are immersed in liquid caramel, wait until they give juice, pour 50 ml of rum into a frying pan and add a little cinnamon. As soon as the caramel thickens again, remove the fruit and put it on a plate. Caramel can be served separately by wrapping it with a toothpick.
• Cocktail serving. Berries can be served as a snack for alcoholic beverages. Cut the fruit into even slices, prick each into a small fork, dip one side into melted chocolate. It is advisable to eat bitter drinks with sweet fruits.
• The recipe for jam from the fruits of prickly pear. Peel 1 kg of berries, put in a blender and chop. Strain the seeds and fibers through a sieve, mix the juice with a glass of sugar with a slide, add half a bag of pectin and set to cook on low heat. 5 sticks of cloves and 1 vanilla, 1 chopped nutmeg are poured into a specially prepared bag of gauze and dipped in boiling syrup. Cook for 20 minutes. Before pouring the jam into the jars, put a few almonds in each.
• Sorbent. Juice is made from 6 prickly pear fruits, as already described in the previous recipe, and put into the refrigerator to cool. At this time, melt 50 g of sugar in a pan with the same amount of water. Beat 1 egg white with 3 drops of lemon juice, combine the ingredients and put back in the refrigerator. When everything has thickened, you can serve.

Nutritional value

Besides its refreshing taste, prickly pear is a good source of nutrients: vitamins, amino acids and minerals.One serving of 86 grams 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.

Growing by seeds

The advantage of seed propagation is that a plant grown from seed is more viable and stronger... The cactus, which emerged from the seed, from the very birth adapts to the surrounding conditions. He does not need to go through a transplant, get used to a new microclimate and care system.

The disadvantage of this method is poor visualization of the emergence of seedlings at the initial stage. Rare types of prickly pear, which do not give children and shoots, can only be propagated by seed.

How to choose and prepare seeds?

Opuntia seeds have a very hard shell, therefore, in order for them to sprout, before planting, they should be scarified with one of two options:

1. process the hard shell with sandpaper and fill it with water for a day;
2. soak the seeds for a few days.

To disinfect the seeds before sowing, it is necessary to lower them in a weak solution of manganese for 15-20 minutes.

Step-by-step instruction

When propagating prickly pear seeds, it is necessary:

1. prepare a container with a diameter of about 10 cm and a height of 3-7 cm with a hole for drainage;

2. 
   fill the container with sterilized soil mixture (1 part charcoal, 1 part vermiculite and 2 parts leaf humus), not reaching the top edge of the pot 20 mm;

3. sow the prepared seeds evenly over the surface, sprinkling with a thin layer of soil (5-10 mm);
4. sprinkle the crop from a spray bottle.

To get successful seedlings for them, it is necessary to create favorable conditions:

• provide bright diffused lighting;
• monitor soil moisture;
• provide a temperature regime suitable for a certain type of prickly pear.

The minimum seed germination time is one month. The germination rate of prickly pear seeds depends on the time and conditions of their storage. Fresher seeds germinate more amicably.

Attention! When the seed germinates, the central stem of a young prickly pear first has a cylindrical shape, and becomes flat, gradually increasing in diameter.

We suggest you watch a video about the propagation of prickly pear from seeds: