Austrocylindropuntia subulata - Eve's pin is found growing on dry rangelands, also along riversides and in disturbed areas...
Austrocylindropuntia subulata also called as Eve's pin, Eve's needle, Cylindropuntia subulata, Opuntia ellemetiana, Opuntia segethii, Opuntia subulata, Pereskia affinis, Pereskia subulata, Pereskiopsis subulata, is a species of the genus Austrocylindropuntia. This species was described by Curt Backeberg in 1942.
IDENTIFY AUSTROCYLINDROPUNTIA SUBULATA - EVE'S PIN
Austrocylindropuntia subulata is native to Bolivia, Colombia, Peru. It
was introduced to Albania, East Aegean Is., Ecuador, Free State, Greece,
Italy, Madagascar, Morocco, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia. It is
found growing on dry rangelands, also along riversides and in disturbed areas.
Where introduced, it has been recorded on roadsides, disturbed land,
wastelands, drainage ditches, grasslands, savannah, riversides and sandy
stream beds.
It is a succulent, spiny, robust shrub which reaching up to 4 metres, with numerous elongated, up to 50 cm long and 4-5 cm in diameter branches. The stem segments are glossy green, especially around the areoles and margins. The awl-like rudimentary leaves are prominent, persistent for one or more seasons, curved and fleshy, 2-12 cm long x 2.5 mm wide. The spines are greyish-white without a papery sheath, 1-4 per areole.
Eve's pin blooms in mid-spring to mid-summer from the ends of the branches. The flowers are pink with bright yellow or orange center, up to 6 cm long and are attractive to desert pollinators. The flowers are unlikely to occur on plants grown in containers or indoors. When the blooms are spent, edible, dark green, spineless, oblong fruits develop. Although the fruits are spineless, they are covered with very fine, stinging hairs.
AUSTROCYLINDROPUNTIA SUBULATA - EVE'S PIN CARE AND CULTURE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light and exposure:
Austrocylindropuntia subulata prefers a lot of light. Mature plants can tolerate heavy sun exposure and hot temperatures during the peak season. In the cooler months and winter, they are just fine indoors with bright indirect light from a window. Immature plants (under two years old) do well with lots of bright, indirect sunlight.
Temperature:
Eve's pin are very hardy and can grow outdoors year-round in USDA hardiness zones 9 and above, where daytime temperatures are almost always above. Mature plants can tolerate very high temperatures during the day and desert-like drops in temperature overnight. They prefer hot, dry summers and cooler fall and winter months. The plant cannot tolerate temperatures lower than -4° C and you should never keep this plant in an area where the nighttime temperature falls lower than 5° C.
Soil:
Austrocylindropuntia subulata can tolerate poor soil conditions. If growing on the ground, it even tolerates heavy soil to some extent if it doesn't remain wet. However, it's best to grow it in well-drained, light, sandy and loamy soil. Avoid clay-rich soil that is not well draining and promotes water-stagnation.
Potting and repot:
Eve's pin will grow just fine in a garden, they can be grown in pots as well. When keeping this plant as a potted plant, use standard, packaged succulent or cactus mix as potting soil with pH level of 6.1-7.8. For a mixture of own preparation, take: 3 parts of coarse sand or perlite, 2 parts of turf ground, 2 parts humus, 2 parts peat. You can also add brick chips.
As the plant grows, it will need repotting. Don’t repot to frequently, instead wait until the plant is somewhat root-bound. Most of the time, repotting every two years is adequate. Springtime is the ideal time to repot and propagate the plant. To repot, ensure the soil is dry, then remove the pot and knock away the old soil, remove rotten and damaged roots. After treating any cuts with fungicide, place the plant in a new pot and backfill it with potting soil. As with a new cutting, make sure not to water a newly repotting plant for at least a week to avoid rotting its roots.
Watering:
Austrocylindropuntia subulata is very sensitive to water therefore optimum irrigation should be provided during early stages of growth. The plants do not irrigate immediately after planting. Light watering should be done after 2-3 days of planting and there after irrigation should be given at 10-15 days interval up to one year. Fully established plantation requires light irrigation, 1-2 times a month is beneficial.
It is best to water thoroughly and then allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Make sure the plant has plenty of good drainage so it is never standing in water. Water extremely sparingly during the late fall and winter months. In the wintertime, it’s best to keep the plant dry.
Fertilizer:
Eve's pin has very low fertilizer requirements. During growth, You can use a weak solution of water-soluble fertilizer for cacti once a month. Winter application of manures and fertilizers has been reported very effective in obtaining new sprouts. They reacts very well to organic manures which also improve the soil structure, nutrient content and water-holding capacity.
Rest period:
This cacti does not need a rest period, but water should be reduced in winter. Pay attention throughout the year to a uniform soil moisture and the highest possible humidity.
Pruning and grooming:
Austrocylindropuntia subulata can be a grooming-free plant if you desire. You never need to prune them. Just cut off any unhealthy or unattractive parts as you wish to shape the plant and attain cuttings for propagation. Cut off flowers as they fade if you do not wish fruits to form. You may need to dust or rinse the plants occasionally. Use a feather duster for dusting and spray with the hose, outdoors in the summertime.
Propagation:
Eve's pin are usually propagated from cuttings or root segments. The easiest way to propagate this plant is through stem division. The pads of the plant will root quickly and easily when placed in or on good, well-draining cactus or succulent soil. To grow from cuttings, choose a healthy-looking section and cut it off cleanly with a very sharp knife. Be sure to wear protective clothing, gloves and eye protection when handling this plant as the spines are so sharp. It is also propagated by seed that must be nicked and then pre-soaked at a temperature of 21° C overnight (seeds can hold for 1.5 months in a refrigerator), planted into a mixture of peat and sand and germinated, covered with foil and daily aerating and sprinkling crops. Seeds germinate long enough (up to 3 months). After the emergence of shoots, the film can be removed.
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