Care of the cactus Tunilla corrugata or Opuntia longispina |
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The Tunilla genus, family Cactaceae, comprises 12 species of cacti native to South America. Some species are: Tunilla corrugata, Tunilla chilensis, Tunilla albisetacens, Tunilla minuscula. Scientific synonyms: Opuntia longispina, Tephrocactus corrugatus, Platyopuntia corrugata. This species is native to north western Argentina. They are cacti with a creeping bearing and an intense green color that have a short stem; they can extend up to 80 cm (31.5") in diameter. Segments can be cylindrical or ovoid and are up to 3.5 cm (13.7") in length. They have rudimentary reddish leaves in the new segments that later disappear. They have 3-10 white radial spines and attractive orange or red flowers. They are used in pots and planters for terraces, as indoor or greenhouse plants; They are ideal for rockery in regions without frost. Tunilla corrugata can grow in full sun and light shade exposures. In winter the temperature should be above 3 ºC (37.4 ºF). The soil can be a commercial cactus substrate or a mixture, in the same proportions, of coarse sand and leaf mulch. Water moderately at the rate of 1 time a week in summer, every 2 weeks in spring, every 3 weeks in autumn and do not water in winter. Fertilize once in mid-spring with mineral cactus fertilizer. They do not need pruning. They are sensitive plants to excess humidity. They are easily propagated by segment cuttings or from seeds sown in spring in a sandy substrate. |
Images of the cactus Tunilla corrugata or Opuntia longispina |
 Tunilla corrugata  Tunilla corrugata  Tunilla corrugata  Tunilla corrugata  Tunilla corrugata |