Opuntia SANTARITA

Opuntia SANTARITA - Santa Rita prickly pear, Purple prickly pear, Opuntia santa-rita.

Opuntia is a large genus of succulent plants in the cactus family (Cactaceae), comprising about 150-180 species distributed in the New World from Canada to South America. In nature, members of the genus occur in deserts, semi-deserts, dry savannas, prairies, woodlands, on rocky slopes, sandy plains, and other open habitats with bright sun and well-drained soils.

The plants usually develop as shrubby, trailing, or tree-like cacti with flattened jointed stems known as cladodes or pads. Leaves in mature plants are reduced; photosynthesis is performed by the green fleshy stem segments. The areoles bear spines and small barbed bristles - glochids, which easily detach and irritate the skin.

The flowers of opuntias are large, diurnal, usually yellow, orange, reddish, or pink, forming along the margins of mature pads. After pollination, fleshy fruits develop, often brightly colored and edible in many species. The seeds are hard, dense, encased in fruit pulp, with a pronounced coat, which often results in extended germination.

Santa Rita prickly pear has a dark purple pattern along the edges of its circular, glaucous-blue coated pads and around the areoles. In a sunny, dry location, the plant's colors become especially vibrant.

Opuntia seeds are medium-sized for cacti, light beige or yellowish-brown, rounded, flattened-rounded, or slightly irregular in shape, with a dense, hard coat. To accelerate germination, very light mechanical scarification with sandpaper or careful filing of the seed edge without damaging the embryo is permissible. Seed germination rate under careful greenhouse conditions is usually about 50-80%.

Sowing is carried out in spring or year-round with stable supplemental lighting. A sterile fine-grained mineral substrate based on sifted cactus soil, fine sand, perlite, and mineral grit is used. Seeds are laid out on the surface, lightly pressed into the moist soil, and covered with a thin layer of fine sand about 1-2 mm (0.04-0.08 in) thick. The sowing is moistened from a spray bottle with a weak solution of potassium permanganate or biofungicide with the addition of a growth stimulant: SUPERthrive, HB-101, Aminozol, Epin, or Zircon. The container is covered with a transparent lid or placed into a greenhouse.

Germination is conducted in bright diffused light at a temperature of about 24-28 °C (75-82 °F), without direct overheating under the sun. The surface is kept moderately moist but not wet; moistening is performed only by fine spraying. The sowings are ventilated daily and condensate is removed, as stagnant moisture is dangerous for opuntia seedlings and rapidly causes fungal infections.

First sprouts may appear in 10-14 days; the usual germination period is 2-6 weeks, and the maximum possible period with a dense seed coat, temperature fluctuations, or partial drying of the surface can stretch to 2-3 months. After sprouts emerge, the cover is opened gradually, and seedlings are kept in bright diffused light with cautious watering. Pricking out is performed after notable strengthening of the plants and the formation of the first small pads, with minimal damage to the roots.

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For cultivation, the brightest possible location with direct sun for most of the day is chosen. South-, southeast-, and southwest-facing windows, open sunny balconies, and well-ventilated terraces are best suited. With a lack of light, pads stretch out, becoming thin, soft, and less resistant to watering.

During active growth, a temperature of about 22-30 °C (72-86 °F) is maintained with good air circulation. The plant tolerates heat and dry air if the roots are not in overheated wet soil. Overwintering is conducted in bright, dry, and cool conditions, around 5-12 °C (41-54 °F). Under cool conditions, watering is almost discontinued, as a moist substrate combined with low temperatures quickly leads to rotting of roots and pad bases.

Watering is carried out moderately, only after complete drying of the substrate. In spring and summer, the soil is moistened in small portions, with mandatory draining of water from the drip tray. In autumn, watering is gradually reduced; in winter, the plant is kept almost completely dry. Misting is not required, and water getting onto areoles and pad joints is undesirable under weak ventilation.

A very loose mineral substrate for cacti with a high content of coarse sand, fine crushed stone, pumice, zeolite, perlite, or other inert aerators is used. The organic component is added sparingly. Substantial drainage is laid at the bottom of the pot, and the container selected is stable, heavy, and not overly deep, with mandatory drainage holes for water runoff.

Fertilizing is applied only during active growth, once every 4-6 weeks with a weak solution of fertilizer for cacti and succulents with reduced nitrogen content. Excess nutrients cause watery, loose growth and reduce resistance to rot. Repotting is carried out in spring as the pot fills with roots; after repotting, the plant is kept without watering for several days. Heavy gloves or tongs are used when handling the plant, as glochids easily detach from the areoles.