Do the Austrocylindropuntia subulata flower? Yes, it is a flowering species. In fact, they produce flowers in red to orange pink colors.
To briefly explain on the Austrocylindropuntia subulata plants, these plants go by the common name called Eve’s needle.
These plants are endemic to South America. Austrocylindropuntia subulata are quite popular as cute looking ornamental plants among the succulents’ enthusiasts.
They would usually grow as shrubs when they grow in the wild. They consist of a stout branched stem along small yellow gray thorns in the areoles.
The leaves tend to take an awl shape. Further Austrocylindropuntia subulata blossom just once in summer when they grow in their natural habitats, and they would usually form in clusters.
Having said that indoor grown Austrocylindropuntia subulata may not flower at all too.
How often do Austrocylindropuntia subulata flower ?
Austrocylindropuntia subulate usually bloom from mid spring to midsummer. As aforesaid it is very unlikely that they will bloom in the cultivation. Those flowers would be 3 inches in size. Furthermore, they are attractive for pollinators as well.
Colors of Austrocylindropuntia subulata flower
The blooms could be spotted in red to orange pink colors. In fact, they carry a bright yellow or orange center.
Further their petals would be bright rose red in color. Austrocylindropuntia subulata blooms tend to take a cup shape. Those blooms would usually appear on the branch’s edges.
Do they die after flowering?
As per the records Austrocylindropuntia subulate are not monocarpic. Monocarpic plants literally mean , the plants which perish right after they produce flowers.
How to make Austrocylindropuntia subulata flower?
If you expose the plants to proper temperatures and expose them for plenty of sunlight, it will help the plants to make them flower.
In addition to that I suggest feeding the Austrocylindropuntia subulate plants with appropriate fertilizers as it would also be beneficial for the flower blossoming activity of the plants.
In addition to that, you need to ensure that you water these plants well as it will have a greater impact in making them flower.
Additionally they need to have a substrate which has excellent drainage too. More importantly. you should make them go through a dormancy period to encourage flowering. During this period, you need to limit watering them and reduce the sunlight exposure too.
How to care for Austrocylindropuntia subulata flower?
Caring for Austrocylindropuntia subulata is simple just like taking care of other cacti and succulents.
Light and temperature requirement
Austrocylindropuntia subulata flower will remain attractive if you expose them to bright sunlight.
You need to give them bright sunlight especially during summer as the growth hormones will be potent during this time.
However, if you have planted them as indoor plants for quite some time and wish to bring them outdoors you need to do it in a slow manner where you allow the plants to adjust slowly to bright sunlight.
If you expose them to full sunlight abruptly, it would be harmful for the plants as well as for the blooms of them. On the other hand, if you make them grow while starving for proper sunlight, it will result in stunting their growth.
In terms of the right temperature levels of these plants, you need to ensure that you grow them while exposing them for warmer temperatures.
Never expose them for frost conditions as they are used to grow in desert conditions when they grow in the wild.
As such, the ideal thing which you could do is to grow them in planters and then shift them indoors once the winter conditions approach. They can survive in the room temperature during winter.
In a few words, these plants cannot withstand temperatures below 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Having said that, when you grow them indoors, you need to ensure that they get their sunlight requirement fulfilled too.
Having said that you need to ensure that you do not leave them closer to the intense direct sunlight as it would scorch the plants and make them look unpleasant.
Watering requirement
Austrocylindropuntia subulata conserve water in their foliage. As such they can survive in drought conditions well for extended periods.
Furthermore, you should water them depending on the weather conditions as well. For example, if there are intense high temperatures you should water them more.
On the other hand, if there are lower temperatures during winter and fall, you could water them less.
If there are lapses in the watering methods you practice, you will see how they form spots in black and in brown on their foliage.
If you have ever come across these situations, you need to realize that you have overwatered them. Over watering is harmful for the entire plants as well as for the flowers.
However, if you had underwatered the plants, you would see how they become shriveled and lose their freshness and firmness.
Hence to avoid these things happening, you need to always check the soil condition and depending on that you need to water them.
In simple words, if their soil is dry, you should water them and On the other hand, if it is still wet from the previous watering, you should wait for a couple of days and then resume watering them.
I suggest growing these plants in a pot which has generous drainage as then the excess water can move out from the pot without retaining within the pot. Always keep in mind to not expose them for waterlogged conditions at any time.
Fertilizer requirement
Austrocylindropuntia subulata flower would grow well whether you feed them or not. However, I recommend using a liquid fertilizer to feed them as it will provide all the essential nutrients that these plants require.
I recommend using a 15-15-15 fertilizer for this purpose Furthermore, I recommend using a water-soluble fertilizer as if it is too strong chances are that it would damage the plants.
Soil requirement
A soil mix which has an excellent drainage would work well with these plants. I recommend using a soil mix which has at least about 30 % pumice.
Pumice is very effective in absorbing the excess moisture and it would avoid any potential root rot which could take place.
Additionally, I recommend applying organic matter for top dressing since it would also better the draining of the soil mix. Besides it would make the soil mix more enriched with the nutrients too.
If you wish to, you may go ahead with a commercially made succulent soil mix or with a cactus soil mix to grow them too.
Alternatively, you could make a soil mix on your own by blending 2 parts of sand and 1 part of peat moss into 2 parts of regular soil mix.
Conclusion
To conclude, I hope you found the aforesaid information useful and now that you are all set to look after the Austrocylindropuntia subulata flowers well. Happy cultivating with Austrocylindropuntia subulata !
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