Opuntia tuna f. cristata | Crested prickly pear
€15,90
🌱 Morphology
Crested form of Opuntia tuna characterized by an anomalous growth of the apical meristem that transforms the usual development of the cladodes into a flattened, wavy, and sinuous structure, with crests that can form authentic vegetal sculptures. Each specimen develops a different silhouette and, over time, can acquire an appearance similar to a fan or a coral formation.
The surface is green and fleshy, with numerous areoles arranged on the crests. The areoles may present glochids and small spines or bristles, whose density and development are variable. Crested forms can occasionally produce normal-growth shoots; these branches retain the typical morphology of O. tuna and may eventually flower. The crested form is maintained through vegetative propagation, since a plant obtained from seed does not necessarily retain this growth alteration.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It does not exist as a distinct wild population. It is a horticultural form selected and vegetatively propagated from Opuntia tuna. The reference species has its native range in Mexico and southern Jamaica, where it grows mainly in seasonally dry tropical environments.
It belongs to the Cactaceae family, Opuntioideae subfamily, and Opuntieae tribe. Opuntia tuna is currently an accepted name; among its historical synonyms are Cactus tuna and Opuntia dillenii.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of up to −4 ºC in dry, well-acclimated specimens. The crested form can be somewhat more sensitive than the normal growth form, especially when the crests remain moist during cold periods. During winter, it is recommended to protect it from rain and keep the substrate completely dry.
☀️ Lighting
It needs very intense lighting to maintain compact growth and preserve the crested structure. It can be grown in full sun after progressive acclimation. High radiation also promotes a greater density of areoles and better expression of the wavy form.
As a guideline during active growth, a PAR DLI of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended.
💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
Winter rest. During winter, it should be kept completely dry, especially at low temperatures. In crested forms, the folds and depressions of the structure can retain moisture for longer, increasing the risk of rot.
Active growth begins with rising temperatures in spring. During spring and summer, abundant watering is recommended, allowing the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. In periods of extreme heat, its activity may temporarily decrease, so it is advisable to adjust the irrigation frequency to the actual drying rate. At the end of summer and during autumn, water supply is progressively reduced until the winter rest is reached.
🌸 Flowering
Flowering is less frequent than in the normal growth form. When it appears, the flowers are similar to those of Opuntia tuna, generally intense yellow, and may develop on branches that have regained normal growth.
The crested structure itself may produce few or no flowers, so in this form, the main ornamental interest lies in the morphology of the growth.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer with a high content of assimilable calcium and low nitrogen levels is recommended, such as Desert CHOICE® Cactáceas, applied once a month when watering. Before flowering, it can be complemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot, with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.
📏 The sizes of our xerophytes are as follows:
S -> 9cm x 9cm
* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the shipped specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.
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