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The Beavertail Cactus
I've never truly been interested in Cactus plants until recently. I always saw them as dry, boring and illegitimate plants. However, since contemplating xeriscaping and the wonder of growing plants without additional watering has since changed my views.
This variety, the Beavertail Cactus (Opuntia basilaris subsp. basilaris or Opuntia basilaris subsp. whitneyana), is native to the deserts of south-western USA and is a close derivative of what Australian's call the Prickly Pear - same family actually. They only grow about 60cm high and their flattened pads resemble beavertails, hence the name.
They bear magnificent red to purple blooms that begin flowering in spring and continue through to early summer.
WATERING REQUIREMENTS
Minimal. They only require 20 - 50ml rainfall per year, so extra watering is not needed. In fact, if these cactus were to receive more than this they would suffer with possible rotting roots.
SOIL TYPE
Beavertail cacti prefers a fast-draining soil. It dislikes acidic or clay soils and if you plan to mulch around them use a dry mulch such as pebbles or pea gravel.
WHERE TO GROW THEM
They need to be located in full-sun away from other plants that require more watering than the beavertail. Possibly the best location would be in its own xeriscaped garden amongst other cactus plants.
CAN THEY GROW IN POTS
Yes. In fact they grow very well in pots as long as you ensure that the potting medium is also fast-draining and that the pot is located in an area that receives a lot of sun.
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Comments
I haven't been interested in growing cactus either, but they are rather interesting in a bizarre way. Did you see the news last spring about the amazing display of flowers in Death Valley? After an unusually high rainfall the desert flowers were blooming profusely. We watched a video about it. Truly magnificent! Thinking about cactus reminded me of it.
Posted by: kerri | April 4, 2006 6:46 AM