Flowering Cactus
The Many Faces of a Flowering Cactus
If you have ever seen a flowering cactus, you were probably mesmerized by its size and vibrant color. These cactus plants are no ordinary prickly plant, they are not only vibrant, but they are attractive to look at, you just won’t want to pick it up. The flowering cactus has many species and if you are interested in buying one, it might be hard to pick.
Although there are several species of flowering cactus, there are three basic types that you will want to know about when choosing one for your home. There are flowering cacti that are easy to grow. There are also flowering cactus plants that tend to bloom at night and some that are denser and carry a very sweet floral aroma. While you might find your typical cactus in the desert, you can certainly grow your flowering cactus right in your kitchen window.
The Barrel Cacti is one of the most popular flowering cactus plants. These cacti have longer cylindrical tube like structures measuring about 4 to 6 inches long, and they do have thorns. The California barrel cactus grows to be about 8 feet in length, and has red ribs and curves to it. This flowering cactus stands out in vibrant, rich color with yellow and orange bell shaped flowers. The Arizona barrel cactus grows into a globe like shape, and grows to be about 1 foot in diameter, so it’s wider than it is longer. This cacti has long white radial spines, which is what you see in a lot of photos, but this one can grow as high as 11 feet tall. As you can see, the Barrel Cacti are one of the most colorful and interesting Cacti, and they don’t all grow the same way.
There are also Hedgehog Cacti that grow into the more rich shades of hot pink and purple. The smallest Strawberry Hedgehog Cacti, grows only to be somewhere between 4 to 12 inches tall. This species of flowering cactus can also bloom into shades of lighter pink and lavender as well, and they usually bloom in the springtime. These flowers are interesting because they close up at night, and then they re-open during the day. The Hedgehog Cacti species can grow anywhere from 6 to 8 feet tall, but it has been known to grow as high as 20 feet tall.
The Arizona Cactus is another form of Hedgehog Cactus that is a flowering cactus. This is what it is referred to as a mounding cactus that actually forms from a few hundred stems. These flowers are funnel shaped and they attract hummingbirds. These flowering cactus plants tend to bloom from April to June. Once they bloom, they tend to remain open from 2 to 3 days, and they grow up to around 2 ½ feet tall.
Last but not least, the Prickly Pear Cactus is another form of cacti that grows very different from the other flowering cactus plants. These Prickly Pears are not just known for their thorns, but they are also known for their fruit that they contain inside. This cactus has been a staple food for Native Americans for centuries. These Cacti are very colorful in appearance, and range from pink, yellow, red and purple. These blossoms grow from the top of cactus nodules, and when they ripen they are quite delicious. These are sold as a delicacy in Mexico, and the people there refer to them as “tuna”. The prickly pear is from the family of Opuntia, but the most flavorful of them all is known as the Opuntia Megacantha.
The flowering cacti are among the most interesting plants on earth, but be careful if trying a prickly pear; you will want to make sure that all of the thorns are out!