Opuntia guatemalensisresemblesOpuntia decumbens , but its pads are suave and shiny , and its flowers are much low . Nathaniel Lord BrittonandJoseph Nelson Rosefirst described thisspeciesin 1919 .
Opuntia guatemalensisBritton & Rose
Guatemalan Prickly Pear
In habitat, Las Peñitas, Nicaragua. Derivative of a photo bySune Holt. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Family : CactaceaeSubfamily : OpuntioideaeTribe : OpuntieaeGenus : Opuntia
The specific epithet " guatemalensis " ( pronounced " gwa - teh - mah - LEN - atomic number 14 " ) refers toGuatemala , where this species was first key .
Opuntia guatemalensisis native toGuatemala , Honduras , Nicaragua , andCosta Rica . It grows from sea level to 985 feet ( 300 m ) in wood and worried area .
In habitat, Las Peñitas, Nicaragua. Derivative of a photo bySune Holt. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Opuntia guatemalensisis a low - growing , spreadingcactuswith either vertical orprostratebranches that consist of oval orobovatesegments , commonly known as pad or nopales . The stamp pad are smooth and cryptic green , occasionally with dark blotch below theareoles , and spine present over two - thirds to three - tail of each pad . The areoles are diminished , slightly raised , and fill with sluttish chocolate-brown or tan wool . Each areole typically bears one declamatory spine and possibly one or two smaller spines . When young , the spines are shiny snowy with blackish tips and turn gray as they senesce . Most spines are reflexed and somewhat spreading , with the larger spines often position at right angles to the launching pad .
In the summer , Opuntia guatemalensisproduces flowers ranging from pale yellow to golden yellow . The bloom can make up to 2.4 in ( 6 curium ) in length and 2 inches ( 5 cm ) in diameter . The eatable fruit are flushed and pear - shaped , sometimes having a stipe - like base , and can pass on up to 1.2 column inch ( 3 cm ) in distance .
Light : Opuntia guatemalensisthrives in full sun , but some shade during noon and afternoon can prevent tan in hot climates . When grown indoors , it influence best in a window that obtain sunlight for 6 60 minutes a day .
In habitat, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras. Derivative of a photo byOliver Komar. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Soil : This cactus requires a well - run out soil premix . you could expend a commercial-grade cactus potting premix orcreate your own .
Temperature : Opuntiaguatemalensisis extremely tolerant of high temperaturesandprefers cooler temperature in winter . It grows best inUSDA Plant Hardiness Zones9a to 11b , with average minimal wintertime temperature ranging from 20 to 50 ° F ( -6.7 to 10 ° C ) .
Watering : From spring to strike , water supply jolly and let the soil dry out wholly before watering again . In most area , rain will be enough for accomplished plants . If pot , never let the container sit in water . Suspendwateringduring the winter .
In habitat, San Lorenzo, Valle, Honduras. Derivative of a photo byOlvin Wilfredo Oyuela. Licensed underCC BY-NC 4.0.
Fertilizing : Opuntiaguatemalensisdoes not demand fertiliser when planted in the soil . However , if grown in a container , it will benefit from fertilise during the develop time of year . Apply a piddle - soluble fertilizer . Suspend feed during the wintertime when the plant goes inactive .
Repotting : Repot only when the cactus becomes potbound or is too large and mentally ill in its container . Choose a slightly larger container with drainage holes at the bottom . The best time for repotting is late wintertime or early saltation .
extension : Opuntiaguatemalensiscan be disseminate by stem segments or seeds . The easiest method is using stem segment , which yields faster results . Take the shank segments in early summertime for best final result , and sow the seeds in late spring .
Learn more atHow to develop and Care for Opuntia .
Opuntiaguatemalensisis not toxic to humans or positron emission tomography . However , keeping this plant out from favourite and children is unspoilt , as its harmful vertebral column and glochidium may cause pelt irritation .
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