Opuntia macrorhiza 'Susanne' | Plains Prickly Pear 'Susanne'
€7,95
🌱 Morphology
Frost-proof. A small, almost creeping Opuntia that packs a lot of character into very little space. ‘Susanne’ forms low, branching mats with relatively small, flat, rounded to obovate cladodes that are dark green with a slightly tuberculate surface.
The areoles feature glochids and, especially on the upper part of the cladodes, long yellow spines, one of the traits that helps identify this clone in cultivation. It can reach about 30 cm in height and develops a more spreading than shrubby habit.
🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Family Cactaceae, subfamily Opuntioideae. ‘Susanne’ is a cultivar of Opuntia macrorhiza and, therefore, does not have its own natural distribution. No reliable information has been found regarding the origin of the selection or possible parents, so it should not be presented as a hybrid.
Opuntia macrorhiza is native to the central and southern United States and northern Mexico. It appears in prairies, scrublands, open forests, and sandy or rocky terrain, from lowlands up to approximately 2300 m in altitude. The species possesses a specially developed tuberous root, from which the epithet macrorhiza, "large-rooted," originates.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 6a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −20 ºC in dry conditions and with excellent drainage. For the ‘Susanne’ clone, there are specialized cultivation references that place its resistance at around −25 ºC; since these are not data from a standardized experimental trial, it is considered more prudent to use −20 ºC as a cultivation reference.
☀️ Lighting
Full sun. During active growth, high light availability is recommended, with a target of approximately 18–25 mol/m²/day of DLI PAR. Intense lighting promotes compact growth and good spine formation.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Winter dormancy. During the active growth period, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, it should be kept practically dry, especially when temperatures are low. Its great cold resistance works best when the tissues and roots remain dry during frosts.
🌸 Flowering
The most striking feature of ‘Susanne’ is its yellow flowers with a marked reddish hue toward the center, specifically described in specialized catalogs. Flowering occurs in late spring and can extend into early summer.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a specific fertilizer for cacti with high levels of potassium and bioavailable calcium, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, is recommended, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with substrate activated by mycorrhizal fungi.
9x9 cm pot
- Shipped today? Order within:
- Hassle-free returns
- Free Shipping on orders over €79.99
Expert advice with every purchase
Our team provides you with personalized advice on caring for your plants and growing media.
-
Secure and protected payment guaranteed.
