Cumulopuntia

Family. Cactaceae.

Origin. Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Peru.

Description. The genus Cumulopuntia contains about 30 species of small cacti. The main distinguishing feature of the species is the segmented stems and small leaves. The segments are oval or ovoid, up to 7 cm long; in adult specimens there are 3-4 such segments. The upper segments eventually break off from the plant; in nature, where these cacti often form large colonies, they roll along the ground in search of a new place. The areoles are round and bear hard spines of yellow or brown color. The flowers are very large and often exceed the size of the segments, yellow, white or red, up to 6 cm in diameter, closing at night. After flowering, oval fleshy fruits with seeds up to 5 cm in diameter are formed.

Height. About 20 cm.

Temperature conditions

A heat-loving cactus that will grow well if kept warm all year round. During the winter months, place in a cool area, but do not expose the cumulopuntia to temperatures below 10 ° C.

Lighting

Direct sunlight in the morning and evening with light shading on summer days.

Substrate

Use very well-drained soil, a ready-made mineral mixture for cacti will do. Loves fairly nutritious soil.

Feeding

Feed monthly with fertilizers for cacti and succulents high in potassium, calcium and phosphorus. The fertilizer is diluted to half the recommended dose and applied in spring and summer. During the dormant period, cacti are not fed.

Flowering time

Summer. 

Air humidity

Does not require spraying; the air should be dry in autumn and winter.

Soil moisture

From April to mid-September, water deeply, allowing the soil to dry out before each watering. In autumn and winter, water less frequently; the soil should be almost completely dry between waterings. Try not to water in cloudy or rainy weather.

Transplant

These cacti have fairly large root systems and require deep pots with large drainage holes. Cumulopuntias are replanted annually in the spring. 

Reproduction

Stem segments, the cut site is dried and rooted in wet sand. Seed propagation is possible, but quite problematic.

Pests and diseases

If there is a lack of nutrients, these cacti will not bloom.

Among the harmful insects, the flower can be attacked by mealybugs, aphids, scale insects, and nematodes.