Scientific Name
Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Gumby'
Accepted Scientific Name
Austrocylindropuntia subulata (Muehlenpf.) Backeb.
Synonym(s)
Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Gumbi', Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa 'Gumby' Austrocylindropuntia subulata f. monstrosa 'Gumbi', Opuntia subulata f. monstrosa 'Gumby', Opuntia subulata f. monstrosa 'Gumbi', Opuntia subulata 'Gumby', Opuntia subulata 'Gumbi', Opuntia 'Gumby', Opuntia 'Gumbi'
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Opuntioideae
Tribe: Austrocylindropuntieae
Genus: Austrocylindropuntia
Origin
Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Gumby' is a dwarf monstrose cultivar of Austrocylindropuntia subulata. It is named after Gumby, an American clay animation franchise centered on a green clay humanoid character created and modeled by Art Clokey.
Description
Austrocylindropuntia subulata 'Gumby', also known as Opuntia 'Gumby', is an interesting small cactus with green cylindrical stems with yellow spines and spike-like green leaves. Unlike Austrocylindropuntia subulata, this cultivar does not grow as large and freely branches with sidearms.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Though the large variety of species within the Opuntia genus means different, Prickly Pears may need slightly different care. All are desert cacti that need lots of sun, light, and very little water. So, if you live in a hot, arid area, these plants can generally be planted outside, left alone, and enjoyed.
These cacti will grow just fine in a garden but can also be grown in pots. To repot, ensure the soil is dry, remove the pot, and remove the old soil. After treating any cuts with fungicide, place the cactus in a new pot and backfill it with potting soil. As with a new cutting, ensure not to water a newly repotting Prickly Pear briefly to avoid rotting its roots.
Opuntia can propagate either by cuttings or by seed. To propagate by cuttings, sever pads from a plant and let them dry to heal the wounds. Then, place the plants in dry soil and refrain from watering them until they begin to grow to avoid rotting them.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Opuntia.
Links
- Back to genus Austrocylindropuntia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
