Description
Opuntia violacea var. santarita is a much sought after variety and for good reason. The large, round pads are a fabulous glaucous-blue colour taking on varying degrees of purple during colder spells or periods of intense heat or drought, it really is a breath-taking display. The pads are covered in tiny glochids (spines) which are deep orange; please exercise caution when near the plant or handling it – the tiny, fuzzy spines are barbed and can cause discomfort. Given the right conditions, beautiful orange-yellow flowers will appear on the outsides of the pads during the summer months.
Although said to be hardy down to around -5, we do need to be mindful of the climate here in the UK and continual damp, wet and cold conditions could prove fatal to this beautiful plant, but fear not, it can be container grown to great effect and staged outside in a hot sunny position in the summer months, then moving indoors to a sunny windowsill or conservatory for the cooler months. Excellent in a hot conservatory also.
Be sure to not overwater, allowing the plant to dry out between each watering. Reduce watering in the winter months.
These plants are home grown here at Big Plant Nursery in our environmentally friendly peat free compost.
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