Jumping Cactus 

The Jumping Cactus is a fun and entertaining way to get kids moving, jumping and playing. The sturdy, lightweight cactus was designed for both indoor or outdoor use-it can withstand the heavy play of children without being destroyed! Fun features like letting kids jump on top of it or climb inside add an extra dimension to this product..

The “jumping cactus fruit” is a type of fruit that grows on a cactus. The fruit has a hard shell, but the inside is soft and fleshy. It’s not uncommon for people to eat these fruits, but they do have some drawbacks.

There are affiliate links in this post. We may get a commission if you click and purchase, at no extra cost to you. For additional information, please visit our disclosure policy.

Are you a cactus collector that enjoys collecting various types of cacti? Are you strangely drawn to the energy of a leaping cactus? Or did something grip onto your legs and hurt so badly that you nearly cried out when exploring a desert?

In any event, you may be familiar with the lovely jumping cactus, sometimes known as the jumping cholla, but if you’re not, here’s a comprehensive guide to this alluring yet bothersome cactus breed.

The thorns of the leaping cactus are notorious for latching on to anybody passing by within 1-2 meters of the plant and stinging so fiercely that your skin may rip up. As a result, it is prudent to use caution while approaching or moving near a leaping cactus plant.

Also, since the thorns are wrapped in a paper-like coating, this cactus breed has a lovely golden or silvery tint. Exotic plant collectors and gardeners who wish to retain a specimen of this plant in their gardens will be enchanted by this.

Let’s take a look at some of the leaping cactus’ most noticeable traits.

The Cactus that Jumps

The Cactus that Jumps (Cylindropuntia fulgida), also known as the jumping cholla, is a perennial shrub and a part of the cactus family, which is native to the Sonoran Desert in North America, extending from Arizona in the U.S.A to Baja California in Mexico. Outside the native range, we can find them in Australia, South Africa, and Pacific Islands.

These cacti range in size from little branching cacti to small trees reaching almost ten feet in height. Due to the shortage of water in the deserts, the leaves have been reduced to spines. Furthermore, they have little blooms that emerge late in the afternoon and are generally pink or magenta in color.

The most distinguishing characteristic of these cacti is the surface barbed spines, also known as glochidia, which are difficult to remove when attached to human or animal skin and cause discomfort. The plant’s white or golden spines are readily dislodged when it comes into touch with someone, earning it the moniker ‘jumping cholla.’

Does The Cactus that Jumps Actually Jump?

You must have heard of rumors or myths about the jumping cholla and must be wondering, “does The Cactus that Jumps actually jump?” The answer is no, and this ‘apparent’ fact is not at all factual.

This legend began because individuals envisioned thorns jumping on their bodies and stinging them. With time, though, the misunderstanding was dispelled. The stalk and thorns were revealed to be adhered to passers-by as a mechanism of vegetative reproduction.

Although jumping cactuses are attractive and produce an off-white glint, if you are stung by one, you will remember to remain a safe distance from them. The plant’s stings may be quite painful, causing itching, inflammation, and even severe wounds.

Bonus Read: Is your backyard too dark after sunset? Check out our collection of 5 holiday-themed backyard lighting ideas.

The loosely linked branches and thorns that stick to humans or animals passing by when they walk near to the cactus are the major reason these plants are known to “jump.” Although you won’t feel the thorns clinging to your body, they may inflict significant agony when they come into touch with your flesh.

Surprisingly, the cactus’ loose joints aid in self-defense and the creation of a new cactus plant. This occurs when the mature plant’s dead stalks fall around it and produce roots that penetrate deep into the sand in quest of water. As a result, numerous young cacti grow around the primary plant, establishing a cactus colony, making it one of the world’s most terrifying and hazardous cacti.

Jumping Cacti Come in a Wide Range of Colors

Cholla cactus come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some have diverse hues, such as the red Christmas cholla or the silver cholla (white in color). They may also produce fruit, however the fruits of most jumping cactus plants are not edible.

Keep in mind that leaping cholla’s fruits do not ripen over time. They stay connected to the plant stems for months, and fresh blooms sometimes bloom on top of the old fruits, producing chain-like formations. Jumping cholla cactuses are often called as “hanging chain cholla” because of this.

11 Interesting Facts About Cactus Jumping

Here are some fun facts about leaping cactuses that the majority of home gardeners aren’t aware of:

#1. Where did the name “Jumping Cactus” come from?

When passing by, the stalks or thorns of leaping cholla separate. Passers-by, including people and animals, have them clinging to their clothing and skin. According to experts, the thorns and stalks feel compelled to “jump on” passers-by, thus the name.

#2. Cactus Stems are the Plant’s Main Parts

The cylindrical and succulent stems of the leaping cholla cactus aid in water storage and reduce transpiration (water loss from plants due to excessive heat). These stems also aid photosynthesis, which involves using the sun’s energy to create food from water and carbon dioxide. Overall, they play an important role in the production of uncommon flowers and fruits.

#3. Glow-in-the-Dark Cactus

The spines of The Cactus that Jumps are covered with a thin sheath that can give off gold, silver, or pearly white gleam. During the day, the plant reflects the sunlight, thus giving off a bright and shiny color. This helps the cacti attract animals so that spores can attach to the animal’s body parts, thus helping vegetative propagation.

#4. They have the ability to produce a forest of needles.

The Cactus that Jumps often grows collectively like the reefs in oceans, resulting in the formation of a canopy, or a bush-like structure, thus forming a forest of needles. Both humans and animals should stay away from these bushy structures due to their sharp spines, which can cause irritation to the skin and cut deep into the flesh.

#5: Their Fruit dangles from the ceiling like a chain

The fruit of this cactus type is pear-shaped and hangs from the plant’s stalks. New blooms develop on the previous season’s fruits, generating new fruits and creating hanging chains up to 2 feet long.

As a result, The Cactus that Jumps is known as “hanging chain cholla” due to this characteristic feature.

#6. Thorns aren’t poisonous.

Many people fear that the thorns from The Cactus that Jumps might be poisonous. However, they are not at all poisonous or infectious. The itching or pain caused is solely due to the pointy and sharp nature of the thorns or the plant’s branches.

Tip: If the thorn is left in your skin for an extended period of time, you run the danger of infection.

#7. Plants are an important source of food for animals.

Cacti are an important source of food for desert creatures such as rats and moles that dwell in the dunes.

Although the cactus’ fruits aren’t totally edible to humans, they may be a decent source of nourishment in a need.

Furthermore, since the cactus is thick and succulent, it retains a lot of water in its stems, allowing animals like deer and bighorn sheep to endure protracted droughts.

Also see: Peruvian Apple Cactus Information and Facts

#8. These Plants Will Be Left to Grow.

Owing to the harsh environments in which The Cactus that Jumps grow, these plants are way out of reach of any kind of fauna. This poses a problem for the cactus to undergo vegetative reproduction.

Thus, the spines of the plant have evolved in such a way as to hitch to any animal or human, even due to a slight nudge. This helps in increasing the reproduction rate of The Cactus that Jumps.

#9. The Cactus has a Protective Dense Spiny Coat.

The spines or thorns on the body of The Cactus that Jumps act as a shield.

This barrier is critical for controlling the plant’s body temperature and survival, particularly in dry environments and against voracious herbivores.

#10. Young Jumping Cactus Plants Grow Without Outside Help.

When a mature jumping cactus plant matures, it continues to lose its dead stems and thorns, which litter the ground. Young plants sprout from the dead stems that have fallen from the mother plant, forming a massive cactus colony.

They’re Big and Beautiful, Number 11

Despite its unpleasant ability to cling to people’s bodies, the leaping cholla species, like its cactus sibling, the saguaro cactus, is one of the most beautiful cacti found in the world.

The spines created by the decrease of leaves are coated with a waxy coating in certain cholla species, which helps the plant stay cool during extreme heat waves. Furthermore, when dew accumulates, it emits an amazing shine. Remember that depending on the time of day, these waxy coats might have a golden or silver tint, but the majority of the time they are ivory white.

Cholla Cactus Planting

Do you want to cultivate unusual cactus kinds or exotic plants? In such scenario, the delicate color and distinctive spines of the jumping cactus may make a lovely accent to your yard. Cacti, which are native to dry climates and deserts, need specific attention when cultivated in a garden or backyard.

Here are some growth factors gardeners must keep in mind while planting The Cactus that Jumps.

1. Soil preparation: The recommended pH range for producing leaping cactuses is 6.0 to 7.5. You may use lime to balance the pH level if your soil is too acidic, and sulfur to balance the pH level if your soil is too alkaline. When it comes to drainage, avoid well-drained or damp soil, since the cactus may rot. To avoid this, incorporate sand into the soil and follow up with a composting cycle. Following that, dig a 2-3-foot-deep hole to accommodate the plant’s root ball, since many cactus varieties have extensive roots.
2. Watering the plants: After you’ve planted the cactus and covered it, be sure to water it on a regular basis. Water the plant every six to eight days for the first month to let it develop till it matures. After that, water the plant once a week during the summer and 2-3 times a month during the winter.
3. Plant the cactus outside, such as in gardens or lawns, to ensure that it receives enough sunshine. Because cacti thrive in arid climates and get a lot of sunshine, homegrown leaping cactus will need at least six hours of direct sunlight every day, all year. Consider planting the cactus outdoors if you live in a tropical location, but if you live in a temperate zone, you may want to move your cactus inside a greenhouse.
4. Fertilizers: Cactuses do not need fertilizers, although you may apply a balanced fertilizer in modest quantities throughout the growth season.

Verdict

Always take essential measures with regard to insects and plants while walking in desert regions to ensure a pain-free time. You may certainly appreciate the flora, but avoid getting too near to them. The spikes on the ground that come from the mature plants may cling to your clothes, shoes, socks, and even your skin.

A large-tooth comb to draw out the spines from your body and forceps to assist remove the spines in case of serious wounds are two instruments that could come in helpful when walking in the desert. If you don’t have any, a strong stick might also be useful.

The Cactus that Jumps is a type of beautiful and semi-dangerous cacti. They are a part of the desert habitat and have cemented their spot as the desert’s perpetual companion.

Why not use them to create a garden fence?

Winter is almost around the corner! Make a list of the top five electric snow shovels to purchase in 2022.

“The jumping cactus” is a book that was written by Joshua Tree. The “jumping cactus joshua tree” is a popular tourist attraction in the area.

Related Tags

• picture of a jumping cactus
• jumping cactus attack
• do jumping cactus really jump
• jumping cactus texas
• jumping cactus arizona