€10,60

Opuntia macrocentra Engelm. ‘Marie’

🌱 Morphology
  Winter-colouring... A low-growing, spreading shrubby cactus that can reach approximately 60–90 cm in height and form large clumps by branching from its cladodes. The segments are flat, fleshy, obovate to nearly circular, bluish-green or glaucous, and develop spectacular purple, violet, and even almost black hues when intense light, cool temperatures, and suitable watering conditions coincide. The ‘Marie’ cultivar stands out for the intensity of this pigmentation, although its expression varies depending on the season and growing conditions. The areoles are distributed over both sides of the cladodes and feature fine glochids, accompanied by long spines, generally concentrated on the areoles of the upper half of the segments. The spines can be white, yellowish, or brown and can reach several centimetres. Like other opuntias, it develops an extensive, branched root system adapted to quickly absorb rainwater.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
The species is native to the southwestern United States, in Arizona, New Mexico and western Texas, and northern Mexico. It inhabits deserts, xerophytic scrublands, and open, stony or sandy ground, where it withstands intense sunlight, irregular rainfall, and large temperature fluctuations. Its cladodes store water and can develop intense purple pigmentation in response to cold and radiation. ‘Marie’ is a horticultural cultivar and has no native wild distribution. Cactaceae · Opuntioideae · Opuntieae. It follows the nomenclature of Joël Lodé, which maintains Opuntia macrocentra Engelm. as an accepted species. Opuntia violacea Engelm. is one of its synonyms.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8b
Tolerates minimum temperatures close to −10 ºC, and even lower in well-acclimatised specimens, with completely dry substrate and excellent drainage. Effective resistance depends on the clone, the duration of the frost, and soil moisture. Although the species is resistant to dry cold, when in a pot, the roots should be protected from prolonged wet cold.

☀️ Light
Needs full sun to maintain compact growth and develop the characteristic purple colouration of ‘Marie’. The combination of intense light and cool temperatures especially promotes the pigmentation of the cladodes. During active growth, a reference of 18–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of PAR DLI is recommended, with good ventilation and gradual acclimatisation to direct exposure.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. Keep practically dry during the winter, especially when temperatures are low. In spring and summer, water deeply and let the substrate dry out completely before watering again. Its extensive root system requires a well-drained pot and airy substrate. Excess moisture, especially in cold weather, promotes root rot.

🌸 Flowering
Produces large flowers, approximately 5–7 cm in diameter, with yellow petals and orange or reddish hues at the base. Flowering is concentrated in spring and early summer, usually between May and June in the Northern Hemisphere. Well-established adult specimens can produce several flowers during the season, although there is insufficient data to establish a reliable minimum age for first flowering or to guarantee regular re-flowering in pulses. The fruits are fleshy, purple when ripe, and contain numerous seeds.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, Desert CHOICE® Cactaceae NPK (Ca-Mg) 4-4-7 (4-4) is recommended. Assimilable calcium promotes the formation of firm tissues and the maintenance of turgidity, while magnesium participates in chlorophyll synthesis.

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

📏Xerophyte in a 30 cm bowl pot. Approximate plant height: 17 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen sent may vary slightly from the product image. The description on the photo specifies the plant's measurements, but these may also vary slightly, because it is a living thing! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.

• Hassle-free returns

• Free Shipping on orders over €79.99

• Secure and protected payment guaranteed.