€31,80

🌱 Morphology
 Shrubby cactus that forms dense and highly branched colonies, capable of reaching several meters in extent. The stems are composed of cylindrical, articulated, and relatively short segments, generally 8–20 cm long and up to 6 cm in diameter, although smaller and tuberculate segments may appear in some populations. Its coloration varies between bluish-green and grayish-green.

The segments feature between 10 and 15 rows of flattened tubercles, which give them a characteristic surface. The areoles are numerous and equipped with brown glochids. The spines are yellowish or ocher and are especially concentrated towards the upper part of the segments; it can develop up to 2 central spines, straight or slightly curved, up to about 5 cm in length. The segments detach easily and can take root, which allows for significant vegetative propagation.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Species endemic to Chile, distributed mainly through the Atacama and Coquimbo regions, from the Copiapó area to south of La Serena and the Elqui Valley. It inhabits terraces, beds, and sandy slopes of desert environments, from almost sea level to approximately 1,000 m in altitude. It usually occupies northern exposures, where it receives very high solar radiation.

It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Opuntioideae subfamily, and Opuntieae tribe. The genus Miqueliopuntia is monotypic, so M. miquelii is its only species. Among its historical synonyms are Opuntia miquelii, Cylindropuntia miquelii, and Austrocylindropuntia miquelii.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures down to −3 ºC in dry and well-acclimated specimens. Its natural distribution, mainly coastal and desert, does not correspond to a climate of intense and prolonged frosts, so it should not be considered an Opuntia with high cold resistance. During episodes of low temperatures, it is especially important to keep the substrate completely dry.

☀️ Lighting
It needs very intense light and grows best in full sun. The high radiation of its natural habitat favors compact segments, well-developed spination, and a more pronounced bluish-green coloration.

As a target guide during active growth, a DLI PAR of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.

💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter rest. During winter, it should be kept practically dry, especially when temperatures drop. The combination of cold and prolonged humidity can cause damage to the roots and segments.

With the rise in temperatures in spring, active growth begins. During spring and summer, abundant watering is recommended, thoroughly soaking the substrate and allowing it to dry completely before the next watering. In periods of extreme heat, it may temporarily reduce its activity, so it is advisable to space out waterings if the substrate takes longer to dry. In late summer and throughout autumn, water intake is gradually reduced until reaching winter dormancy.

🌸 Flowering
It produces large flowers in relation to the diameter of the segments, approximately 5–7 cm long. They can be white, pale yellow, or carmine pink, and they appear near the ends of the segments.

The fruit is fleshy, globose to elliptical, initially greenish and later light yellow. Its surface features areoles and it can reach a size larger than the segments that support it.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low levels of nitrogen is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, applied once a month during watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.

This is an inimitable xerophytic plant grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

10x10 cm black Gourmet pot

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