![]() This means that glochids will not dissolve in water.Īlthough they are not as sharp as spines, glochids can easily detach from the cactus, get lodged in the skin, and cause skin irritation for several days. Because of its high molecular weight and crystalline structure, cellulose is not soluble in water. Spines Modified leaves 50% cellulose, 25% lignin, 25% non-structural polysaccharides (Gindl-Altmutter and Keckes, 2012) Glochids Modified leaves Cellulose (Pritchard and Hall, 1976)Īn analysis using x-ray diffraction and infrared spectrophotometry showed that glochids are pure crystalline cellulose (Pritchard and Hall, 1976). Structure Description Material Thorns Modified branches or stems Cacti do not have thorns. Glochids also help the cactus preserve water and insulate the plant to protect it from extreme temperature. Like spines, the purpose of glochids is to deter animals from eating them. The glochids on a Bunny Ear Cactus may be white or yellow. Glochids typically grow in tufts and are found on the areoles of cacti belonging to the sub-family of Opuntioideae. Instead, they grow bristles called glochids. Unlike other species of cacti, the Bunny Ears Cactus does not grow spines. These plants grow well as houseplants, and can also grow outdoors in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) zones 9 through 11. Opuntia microdasys, which is commonly referred to as Bunny Ears Cactus or Polka Dot Cactus, is a species of cactus native to central and northern Mexico. In the following article, I will provide some interesting facts about the Bunny Ear Cactus as well as detailed care information. These cacti do not need to be watered as frequently during the winter months. During the growing season, water your Bunny Ear Cactus thoroughly and allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Put your cactus in a dry location that receives a lot of bright sunlight. Overall, the best way to care for Bunny Ear Cactus ( Opuntia microdasys) is to mimic its native habitat as closely as possible. Some of my research is documented in this blog post. In an effort to give it the best care possible, I did some research on how to grow Bunny Care Cactus. I purchased my first Bunny Ear Cactus last weekend. For these reasons, the Bunny Ear Cactus is very popular and can be found in most gardening centers. You can also use a pair of scissors or a sharp knife at the joint.Opuntia microdasys, which is commonly known as Bunny Ear Cactus or Polka Dot Plant, is an attractive, fast-growing cactus that is easy to grow. To do this, twist and turn the pad at the joint. The mother segment is the pad which the harvestable pad sprouts from. ![]() Always go for fresh, large pads and separate them at the point where they join the mother segment or pad. Next, separate several large pads from the mother plant. ![]() You may also talk to neighbors and friends for leads.īefore harvesting pads, protect your hands with a pair of gardening gloves to prevent the thorny spikes from pricking your skin. If the distance is a problem, visit the nearest agricultural office and ask for recommendations. Find them in their native North Mexico regions. Healthy cactus plants are spotless, have vibrant pads, and are free of diseases and insects. Pick healthy parent plants to harvest pads from The 6 Steps to Propagating Bunny Ear Cacti 1. In addition, the plant’s natural clock triggers the rapid growth and development of roots. At this time, there will be enough sun and warmth to allow the plant to develop roots before the brutal winter sets in. When Is the Best Time to Propagate Cacti?Įarly spring and summer are the best time to propagate bunny ear cactus.
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