Opuntia consolea falcataCultivation and propagation: Consolea falcata is a much decorative cactus seldom found in cultivation. It is a tropical summer grower species that offers no cultivation difficulties. This cactus can be grown as a shrub or miniature tree and may look attractive as it. Its green joints and yellow-orange flowers provide a striking accent for an otherwise dormant cactus garden.Soil: It will grow in any kind of drained soil, and will resist droughts, but prefers regular waterings. In pot culture use a draining substratum, as it is sensitive to rottenness when in presence of humidity and low temperatures. Let the soil dry out between waterings.Repotting: Repot in the spring, when their roots become cramped. Generally, they should be repotted every other year in order to provide fresh soil. After repotting, do not water for a week or more.Water: In summer, during the vegetative period, it must be regularly watered, but allowing the substratum to completely dry up before irrigating again (but do not overwater); In winter, it’s to be kept dry. Preferable not to water on overcast days, humid days or cold winter days.Hardiness: It is not a frost resistant cactus, hardy to -2° C or less if very dry. However, in cultivation it is better not to expose it to temperatures lower than -5° C, even if in an aerated and protected location, in order to avoid the formation of anti-aesthetic spots on the epidermis. In presence of high atmospheric humidity avoid any frost as it is particularly sensitive to root rot. It can handle extremely high temperatures in summer.Exposure: Outside full sun or afternoon shade (but adapts to shade too), inside needs bright light, and some direct sun. Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
