Consulta Plantas

Care of the cacti Cylindropuntia rosea or Hudson pear

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.

Hudson pear is used in pots, in rockeries, to cover dry and sunny slopes or to form impenetrable barriers. In Australia it's considered invasive plants.

Cylindropuntia rosea needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. It resists 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. Candelabrum cactus is a very resistant plant to drought.

Fertilize twice a month with mineral fertilizer for cacti in spring and summer to promote flowering.

Cylindropuntia rosea is not usually affected by pests or diseases.

Coyote candles propagates easily by cuttings; it's important to protect your hands from the abundant thorns.

Images of the cacti Cylindropuntia rosea or Hudson pear