10 Expert Tips for Growing Rabbit Ear Cactus (Opuntia microdasys)”
Both the desert regions that extend into Arizona and northern Mexico are home to the bunny ears cactus. When the cacti are mature plants, they have a shrub-like appearance and spread out to cover an area of two to five feet.
Actually, the rabbit ear cactus received its name from the way it looked. When you just touch the plants, the spines on it often fall off. Tweezers would be the ideal tool to use to extract those from flesh.
Another interesting feature about bunny ear cactus is that they belong to the Opunta genus, which contains between 150 and 180 different species of flat cacti. The Opunta genus, sometimes known as the prickly pear, is one of the most well-known
How to take care of bunny ears cactus
Numerous names are given to the rabbit ear cactus, including the well-known ones angel’s wings cactus and polka dot cactus. Opuntia microdasys is the more elegant name, nevertheless. It is a well-liked indoor plant with a flat, pad-like stem and no lengthy, pointed spikes.
As a result, it is an amazing addition to your house. Nevertheless, despite the attractive titles, it is still spiky.
Each of those white dots represents an area of a tiny spine that can dislodge into the skin and expose the glochid. So treat this child carefully while donning a pair of gloves. Another intriguing detail about this cactus is that it is native to northern Mexico and grows up to 24 inches tall, making it perfect for any living space.
what type of soil is good for BEC
When submerged in water for too long, rabbit ears are susceptible to root rot, just like most cacti. So it’s beneficial to give your developing bunny ears cactus a clay pot. The container must be deeper and bigger than the cactus’s tender roots. It is advantageous to have a pot with ample drainage holes so that any surplus water can easily drain into the catch saucer. It’s beneficial to provide your polka dot cactus a succulent potting soil mixture in addition to the pot. The roots can expand because of the soil’s sandy texture and good water drainage. Cactus soil is another
light required for bunny ears cactus
The rabbit ear cactus adores the sun, and it requires six hours of direct sunlight daily for the optimal growth and development of a strong root system. Choose a location where your bunny ears plants may receive direct sunshine whether you’re growing them indoors or outdoors.
A window facing south or west is great for indoor gardening. However, if you discover that your property does not receive enough sunlight. Maintaining your bunny ear plants under a grow light for up to 16 hours is beneficial.
watering requirements
The bunny cactus only requires spot irrigation because of its drought-tolerant cactus pads. However, in order to grow healthily, young cacti require a little bit more gentle loving care during their first growth season.
So keeping the soil damp aids in helping your plant acclimate. You can accomplish this by giving the container a good soak in water and letting the water drain out. The first inch of potting soil should only be watered when dry, which is another useful suggestion.
fertilizer
Opuntia microdasys is a cactus that does not require frequent feeding and can grow on subpar soil. However, a feeding with a fertiliser for succulent cacti once a year will help your newborn cactus. The optimal time to apply fertiliser to promote growth is in the early spring.
Temperature
Opuntia microdasys prefer dry, warm climates, and high humidity or frost are two things your bunny ears plants cannot stand. As a result, maintaining your bunny cactus at temps between 70°F and 100°F is beneficial.
rabbit ear cactus growing in a warm environment
Additionally, it’s crucial to prevent excess moisture and ensure that the potting soil is well drained. The good news is that you may grow your cactus outside year-round if you reside in one of USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b.
To avoid harm from the low conditions, it is preferable to bring your cactus plant indoors when the temperature decreases.
propagating
If you want this stunning cactus to grow inside on a table or in your xeriscape gardens, you can propagate your plant. The nice part is that you may achieve this with ease in the early summer with their flattery pads.
However, it is best to wait until your angel’s wings cactus is fully grown before attempting it. So, to help you with the propagation a little bit, take the following steps:
(1) to prevent injury, get some tongs and put on some heavy-duty gloves. The cactus pad should then be grabbed and separated from the mother plant so that you can have a clean break.
(2) to the cactus pad refuses to break, you can chop it off with a sharp, sterilised knife.
Now put a few of the cut cactus pads together and place them in the window to callus.
The pads should be placed flatly above freshly prepared cacti soil in a container.
Water the soil thoroughly, and make sure to top it off as needed. Before planting it in the ground, you can also dip the broken end in some rooting hormone.
After that, leave your heat-loving cactus in some light for a few weeks. You don’t need to water your plants frequently once a root system has developed.
You can transfer your cactus to an area with natural light indoors or outdoors once it has grown a robust root system and new oval-shaped pads.
FAQS
What kind of light does Rabbit Ear Cactus need?
The Rabbit Ear Cactus needs six hours a day or more of strong, direct sunlight. It thrives best in full sun locations, such as a south-facing window or outdoor space with ample sunlight.
What type of soil is best for Rabbit Ear Cactus?
Use well-draining cactus or succulent soil mix. If using regular potting soil, add sand or perlite to improve drainage.
How often should I water Rabbit Ear Cactus?
Water the cactus sparingly.
In between waterings, let the soil totally dry out. Water once every two to three weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Cut back on watering to once a month or less throughout the winter.
What temperature range is ideal for Rabbit Ear Cactus?
Rabbit Ear Cactus prefers temperatures between 70-100°F (21-37°C) during the day and cooler temperatures around 50-65°F (10-18°C) at night.Keep it safe from severe cold and frost.
Do I need to fertilize Rabbit Ear Cactus?
Fertilize during the growing season with a cactus-specific fertilizer or a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. From spring until early fall, fertilise once a month. Don’t fertilise in the winter.
