Cylindropuntia tunicata Ø 17

Cylindropuntia tunicata, a bushy cactus of extraordinary visual impact, famous for its dense and shiny armour. The plant is entirely covered with long spines enclosed in a characteristic semi-transparent papery sheath that reflects light, creating a fascinating golden effect in the sun.

Exposure: needs full sun for at least 6–8 hours a day; in partial shade it loses compactness and flowers less.

Soil: requires a very well-draining mix, with coarse sand or pumice and little organic matter (ideally a cactus mix with 60% inert material).

Watering: water only when the soil is dry deep down; in summer every 7–10 days, reduce in autumn and spring, and almost stop in winter when temperatures drop below 10 °C.

Fertilising: from April to September, once a month, with a specific cactus fertiliser low in nitrogen and high in potassium and phosphorus, diluted to half strength.

Hardiness: tolerates scorching heat without issues and, if the soil stays completely dry, shows surprising resistance to winter cold (down to -5 °C for short periods).

Caution: needs little care, loves light, and fears waterlogging, which causes rapid and fatal root rot.

Practical tips:

• Use pierced pots, preferably terracotta, to encourage drying.
• In areas with wet winters, protect from prolonged rainfall.
• Handle with thick gloves and tongs to avoid spines that detach easily.

Not grafted
Code 1676