Watering, fertilizing, overwintering and more

The Opuntia microdasys is more of an ornamental cactus. Its other names rabbit ear cactus and gold dot opuntia say a lot about its appearance. Because the segments of this cactus are elongated oval, quite similar in shape to the rabbit or rabbit ears. The glochids (bristle-like fine thorns) are yellow to brownish and arranged in dots. Its light yellow flowers appear in summer.

Plant the Opuntia microdasys

The rabbit-ear cactus likes to have a well-drained and loose soil with as little lime as possible. Who you don't Cactus soil want to use then mix Compost soil and sand with some peat. Make sure to place the rabbit ear cactus in a sunny place. With a maximum size of one meter, this cactus is also suitable for smaller rooms. Put the Opuntia microdasys in fresh soil every year.

Water and fertilize the Opuntia microdasys

As a desert plant, Opuntia microdasys does not tolerate waterlogging. It needs significantly more water in the growth phase than in winter. Water thoroughly and regularly from April to August, whenever the top layer of soil is well dried. Every two weeks you add some liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water.

The Opuntia microdasys in winter

The rabbit ear cactus is conditionally hardy, to about - 8 ° C. In a mild area, where temperatures hardly drop below freezing point, he is allowed to stay outside all year round. Protect the roots from frost by wrapping the planter and placing it on top of it Styrofoam plate(€ 43.00 at Amazon *) place. Water your rabbit ear cactus only enough so that the root ball cannot dry out completely and fertilize Don't bother with him until spring.

The essentials in brief:

• easy-care
• conditionally hardy down to - 8 ° C
• Flowering time in summer
• Location: as sunny and warm as possible
• water thoroughly, but avoid waterlogging
• fertilize about every 14 days
• Water very little in winter and do not fertilize