Care of the cacti Cylindropuntia rosea or Hudson pear |
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The genus Cylindropuntia, family Cactaceae, includes 35 species of cacti native to Mexico and the USA. Some species are: Cylindropuntia rosea, Cylindropuntia prolifera, Cylindropuntia imbricata, Cylindropuntia spinosior, Cylindropuntia tunicata, Cylindropuntia cholla, Cylindropuntia fulgida, Cylindropuntia arbuscula. Common names: Hudson pear, Rosea cactus, Candelabrum cactus, Coyote candles. This species is native to central México. They are columnar cacti covered with white thorns 5 cm (1.96") in length that hide the stem. We must be very careful when handling these plants, as the thorns are difficult to remove if we prick ourselves. They produce showy pink flowers. They bloom from mid-spring to mid-summer. They are used in pots, in rockeries, to cover dry and sunny slopes or to form impenetrable barriers. In Australia they are considered invasive plants. Cylindropuntia rosea needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. They resist frost down to -10 ªC (14 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate with 20% coarse sand. Water moderately all year round and stop watering in winter. It's a very resistant plant to drought. Fertilize twice a month with mineral fertilizer for cacti in spring and summer to promote flowering. They are not usually affected by pests or diseases. They propagate easily by cuttings; it's important to protect your hands from the abundant thorns. |
Images of the cacti Cylindropuntia rosea or Hudson pear |
 Cylindropuntia rosea  Cylindropuntia rosea  Cylindropuntia rosea |