Cumulopuntia sphaericawas first described in 1816 asOpuntia sphaerica .
Cumulopuntia sphaerica(C.F.Först . ) E.F.Anderson
Austrocylindropuntia sphaerica , Opuntia sphaerica , Sphaeropuntia sphaerica , Tephrocactus sphaericus
In habitat, Caravelí Province, Peru. Derivative of a photo byCírculo de Investigación en Taxonomía, Florística y Ecología Vegetal. No rights reserved.
Family : CactaceaeSubfamily : OpuntioideaeTribe : AustrocylindropuntieaeGenus : Cumulopuntia
The specific epithet " sphaerica(pronounced SFAY - rik - uh ) " imply " spherical " and refers to the shape of the stem segments .
The aboriginal range ofCumulopuntia sphaericaextends from Arequipa , Ayacucho , Ica , and Lima regions inPeruto southerly and centralChile . It can inhabit locating at a wide grasp of height , from area at ocean level to heights of 11,500 fundament ( 3,500 m ) , and is considered an invasive coinage .
In cultivation, Wateringen, Netherlands. Photo byCok Grootscholten. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
Cumulopuntia sphaericais ashrubbycactus with gray - putting surface , segmented staunch armed with ruby spines that turn lite as they age . The stem segments are spherical or egg - shaped and can rise up to 2.4 column inch ( 6 curium ) long . They have 25 to 80areoles , each stick out 2 to 14 inadequate , straight or occasionally curved acantha that can reach 1.6 inch ( 4 cm ) in duration .
In the pin , lily-livered to orange flowers appear at the tip of the upper stem segments . The blossom can attain a diameter of 1.6 inches ( 4 cm ) . The fruits are sarcoid , most spherical , green to yellowish , and may have a few spines .
illumination : Cumulopuntia sphaericathrives in full sunshine , but some nuance during midday and afternoon can prevent sunburn during summertime . A window that receives sun 6 hour a day works best when farm indoors .
In habitat, Caravelí Province, Peru. Derivative of a photo byMichael Long. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
filth : This cactus demand a grime premix that drain well . So , utilise a commercial-grade cactus pot mix orcreate your own .
Temperature : Extremely resistant of high temperatures , Cumulopuntia sphaericaprefers cool temperatures in wintertime . It grow near inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones9a to 11b , with median minimum winter temperatures ranging from 20 to 40 ° F ( -6.7 to 4.4 ° hundred ) .
tearing : From bounce to fall , water fairly and let the soil dry out out completely before watering again . In most domain , rain will be enough for established plants . If potted , never let the container pose in water . During the winter , suspend thewatering .
In habitat, Caravelí Province, Peru. Derivative of a photo byCírculo de Investigación en Taxonomía, Florística y Ecología Vegetal. No rights reserved.
fertilise : Cumulopuntia sphaericadoes not need fertilizer when plant in the solid ground . However , when spring up in a container , the plant will benefit from body of water - soluble fertilizer during the acquire season . Suspend the eating during the winter when it go dormant .
Repotting : Repot only when the cactus becomes rootbound or is too tumid and mentally ill in its container . Choose a more or less magnanimous container with drainage holes at the bottom . The secure time for repotting is late wintertime or early saltation .
Propagation : you may propagateCumulopuntia sphaericaby radical segments or seed . Using stem segments is the easiest method and yields faster results . For best results , take stem segments in other summertime . Sow the seeds in later give .
Learn more atHow to Grow and Care for Opuntia .
Cumulopuntia sphaericais not toxic to humans or pet . However , keep the plant aside from favorite and children as it has harmful vertebral column and glochidium that may cause skin irritation .
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