{"product_id":"opuntia-macrocentra","title":"Opuntia macrocentra – garden cactus with long spines and edible fruits","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"392\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"23\"\u003eOpuntia macrocentra\u003c\/strong\u003e is a striking species of cactus from the Cactaceae family, native to the desert regions of the southwestern USA and Mexico. Also known as \u003cstrong data-start=\"184\" data-end=\"220\"\u003e“purple bunny ear cactus”\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong data-start=\"225\" data-end=\"250\"\u003e“prickly pear violet”\u003c\/strong\u003e, this plant is highly valued for its distinctive decorative appearance and its ability to adapt to extreme drought conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"392\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis cactus is not only ornamental – it also produces edible fruits, similar to Indian fig fruits (cactus fruits), sweet and tart and rich in antioxidants.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"394\" data-end=\"425\"\u003e🔹 \u003cstrong data-start=\"397\" data-end=\"425\"\u003eBotanical characteristics:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"427\" data-end=\"986\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"429\" data-end=\"451\"\u003eFull name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Opuntia macrocentra\u003cbr data-start=\"471\" data-end=\"474\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"476\" data-end=\"488\"\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cactaceae\u003cbr data-start=\"498\" data-end=\"501\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"503\" data-end=\"518\"\u003ePlant type:\u003c\/strong\u003e perennial succulent\u003cbr data-start=\"535\" data-end=\"538\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"540\" data-end=\"551\"\u003eLeaves:\u003c\/strong\u003e transformed into spines – some long, dark-colored (hence the name “macrocentra”)\u003cbr data-start=\"640\" data-end=\"643\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"645\" data-end=\"657\"\u003eStems:\u003c\/strong\u003e segmented (cladodes), flat and oval, in shades of blue-green that take on intense violet tones under strong sun or water stress\u003cbr data-start=\"811\" data-end=\"814\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"816\" data-end=\"826\"\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e yellow, large and attractive, with a red or orange center – appear in spring or summer\u003cbr data-start=\"912\" data-end=\"915\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"917\" data-end=\"928\"\u003eFruits:\u003c\/strong\u003e edible, pear-shaped, red-purple in color\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"988\" data-end=\"1016\"\u003e🔸 \u003cstrong data-start=\"991\" data-end=\"1016\"\u003eGrowing conditions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1018\" data-end=\"1462\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1020\" data-end=\"1031\"\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e prefers exposure to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1053\" data-end=\"1069\"\u003edirect sunlight\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its purple coloration intensifies\u003cbr data-start=\"1110\" data-end=\"1113\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1115\" data-end=\"1131\"\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e resistant to temperatures down to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1169\" data-end=\"1178\"\u003e-12°C\u003c\/strong\u003e, ideal for dry or rocky gardens\u003cbr data-start=\"1222\" data-end=\"1225\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1227\" data-end=\"1235\"\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e well-drained, sandy or rocky\u003cbr data-start=\"1268\" data-end=\"1271\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1273\" data-end=\"1283\"\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e low – once every 2–3 weeks in the warm season; in winter requires rare or no watering\u003cbr data-start=\"1367\" data-end=\"1370\"\u003e• \u003cstrong data-start=\"1372\" data-end=\"1388\"\u003eFertilizing:\u003c\/strong\u003e minimal – a cactus fertilizer during the active growth period\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1464\" data-end=\"1494\"\u003e🌿 \u003cstrong data-start=\"1467\" data-end=\"1494\"\u003eUses and benefits:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1496\" data-end=\"1837\"\u003e• Ideal for \u003cstrong data-start=\"1511\" data-end=\"1561\"\u003erock gardens, rockeries, rustic planters\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong data-start=\"1566\" data-end=\"1589\"\u003ecactus collections\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1589\" data-end=\"1592\"\u003e• Attractive in landscaping due to its unique coloration and spectacular flowering\u003cbr data-start=\"1670\" data-end=\"1673\"\u003e• A \u003cstrong data-start=\"1682\" data-end=\"1716\"\u003every drought-resistant plant\u003c\/strong\u003e, easy to maintain\u003cbr data-start=\"1736\" data-end=\"1739\"\u003e• Flowers attract \u003cstrong data-start=\"1755\" data-end=\"1771\"\u003epollinators\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the fruits can be eaten fresh or processed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"2029\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e📌 \u003cstrong data-start=\"1842\" data-end=\"1851\"\u003eNote:\u003c\/strong\u003e Handling with gloves is recommended – the spines can be long and sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1839\" data-end=\"2029\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eHeight including pot: 15 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Secret Garden Plant Shop","offers":[{"title":"10 cm pot","offer_id":54684509405510,"sku":null,"price":9.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0558\/5551\/3798\/files\/FCA34990-BE21-4FF3-A81D-9B02870AF48C.jpg?v=1750500544","url":"https:\/\/sicretgarden.com\/en-it\/products\/opuntia-macrocentra","provider":"Secret Garden Plant Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}