Consolea rubescens aka ‘Road Kill Cactus’. Cuttings
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Consolea rubescens is a nice tree cactus for larger cactus and succulent gardens. It is also a nice specimen plant with its flattened pads. It will form a trunk like a tree, but with unusual markings. An ascending spiral pattern of areoles along its trunk make for a delightfull suprize.
This consolea can be grown from seed or leaf or stem cuttings. Allow cuttings to callus over before planting them.
Consolea rubescens has green to dark green stem pads which are very thin, appearing flattened, hence the common name ‘Road Kill Cactus’. Looking a bit like a comical cardboard cutout of a cactus, Sonsolea rubescens eventually becomes a large shrub or small tree with a trunk up to one foot in diameter and stem pads that thicken with age. Individual stem pads average 12″ to 15″ long by 4″ wide, but are initially only 1/2″ to 3/4″ thick. The pads are covered with small sharp glochids (minute spines) and care should be taken when handling this cactus.
Consolea rubescens blooms in summer with double yellow to orange flowers, which are followed by red fruit. It is indigenous to the Caribbean Islands.
Horticultural Data
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Names and Synonyms: Consolea rubescens, Opuntia guanicana, Consolea guanicana, Cactus rubescens
Common Names: Road Kill Cactus, Sour Pricklypear
Family: Cactaceae
Origin: Optunia rubescens is indigenous to the Caribbean Islands.
Size Label: Three Cuttings
Height: 10-20’
Width: 5-10’
Cold Tolerance: 25 to 30°F; -3.9 to -1.1°C
Heat Tolerance: Very high heat tolerance.
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial sun in hot dry climates.
Water needs: Drought tolerant but best with deep irrigation every week or so in summer. It can take more frequent watering in quick draining soils. O. rubescens also likes more humidity than many western cacti and it will require more frequent watering in a container depending on its size.
Maintenance: Prune to shape as desired.
Uses: O. rubescens is a nice tree cactus for larger cactus and succulent gardens. It makes a nice specimen plant with its interesting flattened pads.
Propagation: This optunia can be grown from seed or leaf or stem cuttings. Allow cuttings to callus over before planting them.
Problems: Rare problems with scale insects and fugal rots after a damaging frost.
Research Links:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/70725/
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Cactaceae/Opuntia_rubescens.html
http://www.succulentsandmore.com/2011/06/roadkill-cactus.html
Shipping & Availability
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There is a minimum purchase of any 4 plants for online orders. All plants shipped bare root. Other sizes may be available for pick up from our growing grounds in Fallbrook, CA. For more information, give us a call at 760-990-4762.
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