Opuntia tomentosa is extremely easy to care for and therefore an ideal plant for lovers of succulents and cacti. Here are some tips on how to look after it in the best possible way:
Location: The plant prefers a sunny location, ideally with direct sunlight. However, it can also cope with some partial shade, but grows best in plenty of light.
Watering: As a succulent, it only needs a little water. Water the plant thoroughly every fortnight or so in summer, but always allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, it is sufficient to water the plant about once a month, as it needs less water during this time.
Substrate: Use a well-drained cactus soil or a mixture of sand and normal potting soil. It is important to avoid waterlogging as this can lead to root rot.
Temperature: Opuntia tomentosa prefers warm temperatures and thrives at temperatures between 18 and 30 °C. However, it can also withstand cooler periods. However, it can also survive cooler periods as long as it is protected from frost. In winter, the plant should be kept at temperatures above 5 °C.
Fertilisation: During the growing season (spring to autumn), it can be fertilised every four to six weeks with a special cactus fertiliser. No fertiliser is required during the winter months.
Repotting: The plant should be repotted in fresh substrate every few years. This is also a good opportunity to divide the plant if necessary.
