Prickly pear

Breeding, care, useful properties and application recipes prickly pear

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Botanical characteristics of prickly pear

The prickly pear is a perennial plant belonging to the family Cactaceae. In the nature of prickly pear found in the form of a branching Bush, just the trailing plants on the ground and trees reaching 6 m in height. Most often the plant has a round, branched and juicy stems. The stem is composed of segments of flat oval shape, which are arranged separately from each other and are of different size. All the body is enveloped in hairs and spines.

The prickly pear has thorns, which are called glohidiyami. These spines represent the beams of sharp, thin, but fragile bristles, which are located in pubescent areoles. The flowers of this plant are very large, are of various colors (yellow, red and orange), shiny. The flowers are arranged singly, have many short stamens and pistils.

The fruit of Opuntia – the turgid leaves, juicy and fleshy. Inside the fruit contains seeds in ossified shell. The prickly pear is a wonderful plant because it is able to develop from the fruits, new flowers, with shoots, and fruits inside will be no seeds.

The prickly pear can be seen in the steppe areas of Canada, southern Argentina, Central America. It is grown in Turkmenistan, in the Caucasus, in the Crimea.

Reproduction of prickly pear

The prickly pear is propagated by cuttings and seeds. Propagation by cuttings is the most easy of these methods of reproduction. For this summer, you need to cut the cuttings, so as to fall, they have taken root, and the winter was fine. The cut of the cutting sprinkled with crushed charcoal. Further, the powdered cuttings leave 4 days to dry. For rooting prepare the wet calcined sand. The cuttings should not be exposed to the direct rays of the sun. When the cuttings are rooted, they are planted in prepared soil.

For seed propagation method choose the spring time. The prickly pear fruits ripen 4-6 months after flowering, and then from the fruit can be removed and sow the seeds. Germination is stored for more than 2 years. The collected seeds are left for 24 hours in warm water: this is needed for seeds to germinate better. For sowing seeds best suited to the greenhouse with a temperature below 25 degrees Celsius. In addition, in the greenhouse need to install fluorescent lighting. For germination the seeds need a lot of time, but it's worth it, because the seedlings are very strong and large.

Care for a prickly pear

To prickly pears grew well and developed throughout the year, she needs to provide good coverage. If you decide to grow prickly pear inthe apartment, then the pots with this plant place on the South or East window. But in summer, prickly pears need fresh air, so it put it on the street.

The prickly pear is a smart handle the heat and not demanding a temperature mode. Watered the prickly pear should be sparingly and only if the soil in the pot dry. You can not water the cactus once a month, because it has not "learned" the previous water. If the potted plant is kept in the room in which the temperature equal to 5 degrees of heat, in this case the prickly pear do not need to be watered. Can not be too often to water the plant as this will lead to the fact that its roots will begin to rot.

From April until the beginning of autumn in the soil need to fertilize once a month.

Prickly pear does not tolerate transplanting, but if there is a need for this process will only fit the spring. In fact, transplantation of Opuntia can produce 1 once in 3-4 years. For transplantation should purchase a medium depth pot, but very wide. The soil in the pot should prepare in advance: take a red brick, crushed with powdered charcoal, mixed with turf ground – and now the soil is ready for transplanting.

Prickly pear is often affected by root nematodes, the plant quickly dies. This contamination can easily be detected, for this you just need to see if the roots of the plant spherical swellings. If they are, then the roots are microscopic worms. To get rid of them, you have to dip the roots of plants for 10 minutes in hot water (50 degrees Celsius). The root collar of the plant should not get in the water. Next, take out the roots and process them with powdered charcoal. In order to avoid infecting the roots of these worms for planting should be purchased only sterile soil.

Beneficial properties of prickly pear

The prickly pear is a plant having many useful properties. Its flowers and stems used for obesity, diabetes, stomach ulcers, constipation and gastritis. The leaves contain calcium and potassium, due to which the body is stimulated by insulin. The flowers of the plant have astringent, besides, they are used for bleeding as a means which stops the blood.

The prickly pear is useful for older people as it has the ability to make the bladder muscles stronger. The flowers of the plant are used in various processes of inflammation. Prickly pear enhances immunity and has a tonic effect on the entire human body. Prickly pear – first against thirst, radiation anddehydration. The plant is an antibiotic.

The oil of prickly pear

The oil of prickly pear is produced using a method of maceration of flowers of prickly pear vegetable oils. The oil of prickly pear contained in a large number of organic acids, sterols, and Tocopherols. Due to the content in this oil fatty acids, it has useful properties. The oil of prickly pear is a very valuable tool that is used for problems with hair and skin. It can be used both in pure form and in dilute. They smeared the Breasts, making it more elastic and increasing its tone. Wrinkles on the face can be removed, smeared the skin with oil of prickly pear mixed with avocado oil.

The use of prickly pear

Preparations of fruits, flowers, stems and roots of Opuntia has long been used in folk medicine. For example, as a poultice is used, the escape of the plant which is brought to boiling and cut along. The prickly pear is used to treat scurvy. This plant has amazing antiseptic and antibacterial properties, which makes it very useful for treatment of throat diseases, various inflammations of the urinary organs and intestines.

Prickly pears help to improve the functioning of the liver, kidneys and spleen, improves circulation of the brain and memory. Also prickly pears normalizes metabolic processes in the body. Tincture of this plant helps men deal with impotence.

Prickly pear for weight loss. The prickly pear is used in the fight against excess weight, and quite successfully. The prickly pear not only eliminates excess weight but also provides the body with all the nutrients it needs. The preparations of this plant prevents the formation of fat. Prickly pear breaks down existing fats and removes them from the body. The prickly pear contain vegetable proteins that eliminate cellulite and edema. With this plant people suffering from obesity, in the fastest time get rid of extra pounds, and it's not harming your body, but on the contrary, bringing him only one favor.

Tincture of prickly pears. Take a sheet of this plant, then cut it into pieces and pour vodka so that it completely covered the leaves of the plant. Leave the composition for 2 weeks to infuse. Take this tincture 15 drops in aching feet. Also it is necessary to spread the legs.

Prickly pear for ulcers and wounds. In this case, you need to take the prickly pear, to remove all the thorns and remove the skin. Ready to bare sheet is applied to the ulcer or the wound, put it on top of her bandage. This procedure do no more than 5 times.

The brothprickly pear bronchitis. For its preparation you need to take the pulp of prickly pear and chop it , pour into the glass filling it to 1/3, after pouring 200 ml of boiling water. Put all on the fire for 15 minutes. After straining the broth, you must complete it immediately, not allowing to cool, boiled water to the original volume. Taking the finished broth 2 teaspoons 4 times a day before meals.

Tincture of prickly pear cystitis. Take 1 Cup of the crushed fruits of the plant and fill it with a Cup of boiling water. Leave for 7 days for the infusion, do not forget to periodically shake the can. Strain the infusion, it take 2 teaspoons diluted in 50 ml of water before meals three times a day.

Contraindications to the use of prickly pear

From the fresh juice of prickly pear may appear red spots, headache, nausea or vomiting. That is why before application of preparations of this plant need to consult with your doctor.