Opuntia violacea var. macrocentra is a species of prickly pear cactus native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Opuntia violacea var. macrocenta is a low growing species of opuntia reaching a maximum height of only 4 feet tall at maturity. They produce betacyanin, which is responsible for the distinctive purple pigment that sets this variety apart from other opuntia. The purple pigment is concentrated mostly around the edges of the pads and around the areoles, but the whole plant can turn purple during winter. Opuntia violacea var. macrocentra produce 1 to 4 long spines measuring anywhere from 1 to 5 inches long and have abundant glochids. The flowers are a brilliant yellow with red interior measuring 2½ inches in diameter. The fruits are sweet, delicious, and commonly eaten like many other species of Opuntia. O. violacea var. macrocentra are hardy to USDA zone 8.
Opuntia violacea var. macrocentra have a hard waterproof seed coat that requires scarification for reliable germination. Use sandpaper or nail clippers to scratch through the seed coat. Plant the seeds ⅛” deep in a well draining potting soil and keep moist but not soaking wet. Keep around 70°F to 80°F for best results. Seed germination can be sporadic, typically taking 10 to 180 days.
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All packages will be shipped with basic customs information such as; HS codes, VAT numbers, and properly labeled contents. Unfortunately, The Garden of Set is unable to provide phytosanitary certificates for orders at this time. It is the buyer’s responsibility to know local laws regarding the import of plants, seeds, and plant products into their country. It is also up to the buyer to provide any other customs forms or information required to import plants into their country. If packages get stopped by customs, The Garden of Set will not be able to provide a refund for the purchase. Most of the time packages make it to their destinations just fine, this is for the small minority of packages that get stopped without having all the proper customs information required by the country of import. Purchase at your own discretion.