Thundersnow
Active Member
Thank you TomHome Depot, Lowes, or just mix in a bunch of sand to you local dirt. I would recommend no water for the first month. Plant it some where hot and in full sun all day.
Thank you TomHome Depot, Lowes, or just mix in a bunch of sand to you local dirt. I would recommend no water for the first month. Plant it some where hot and in full sun all day.
My sulcatas are adults, over 20 years old. I'm curious if you scrape off the spines or feed the pads as is?Home Depot, Lowes, or just mix in a bunch of sand to you local dirt. I would recommend no water for the first month. Plant it some where hot and in full sun all day.
I do not scrape off the spines when feeding "spineless" opuntia. The few tiny spines and the glochids don't seem to bother any species or size tortoise.My sulcatas are adults, over 20 years old. I'm curious if you scrape off the spines or feed the pads as is?
Mine came with the spines removedMy sulcatas are adults, over 20 years old. I'm curious if you scrape off the spines or feed the pads as is?
Maybe I don't know exactly what opuntia is. I didn't know it was spineless. This is what I have, and it has spines.I do not scrape off the spines when feeding "spineless" opuntia. The few tiny spines and the glochids don't seem to bother any species or size tortoise.
I don't know if the cactus in your pics is toxic or not. I have fed organ pipe cactus for years, so that seems to be safe, but its different than the cactus species in your picture.
This cactus is in my yard, so definitely organic. How do I know if it is toxic?Is opuntia something that can be fed daily to adult sulcatas?
Also, I have a large senita cactus, is that something I can put in the food lineup? If so, scraped or not?
Thanks in advance
This is the correct species of cactus, but that is the "regular" fully spined version. There are dozens of "spineless" varieties in this genus of cacti, opuntia, that we grow and feed to our tortoises. You can buy them in any Mexican grocery store, and grow them yourself. You can also find local variants, cut some off, and grow those at your house too. I have about 40 stands of cactus at my place. Around 12 different varieties. All are types of opuntia.Maybe I don't know exactly what opuntia is. I didn't know it was spineless. This is what I have, and it has spines.
Is this what we are talking about?
I would love to take you up on that if you are serious?This is the correct species of cactus, but that is the "regular" fully spined version. There are dozens of "spineless" varieties in this genus of cacti, opuntia, that we grow and feed to our tortoises. You can buy them in any Mexican grocery store, and grow them yourself. You can also find local variants, cut some off, and grow those at your house too. I have about 40 stands of cactus at my place. Around 12 different varieties. All are types of opuntia.
Even the "spineless" types will sometimes still have small spines, and also "glochids" which are tiny little irritating micro spines, but it is fine to feed those to your tortoise. It does not hurt them in any way. Wild tortoises eat the fully spined versions of these cacti.
If you want to drive up to Santa Clarita, I'll give you some starter pads of a few types for free. I just cut a huge mature pad off today that needs to be re-planted somewhere.
Of course I'm serious. Send me a PM. Friday work for you?I would love to take you up on that if you are serious?
You are a very kind person, and I would love to come see all your critters. But because of family obligations, I'm going to have to stay close to home for a couple weeks. I hope for a rain check.Of course I'm serious. Send me a PM. Friday work for you?
Set the pads somewhere outside in the shade with good ventilation. The current hot temps are fine for them. Let the cut ends scar over for a week or two. Then put your dry cactus soil in a big pot and stick the pad upright about 1/3 to 1/2 buried and leave it alone for a month. No water. Its okay if the soil is damp coming out of the bag, just don't addd any more water. After a month, water once or twice a week in the summer heat and not at all over winter when the plant is dormant. Place the pots in full hot sun.You are a very kind person, and I would love to come see all your critters. But because of family obligations, I'm going to have to stay close to home for a couple weeks. I hope for a rain check.
Today, on my way to Walmart, I noticed 1 of my neighbors has a couple plants. I stopped and she gave me 2 pads and I picked up some cactus potting soil. Now, I have a very brown thumb, but if you tell me how to start them, I'd love to try.
Thanks again for being so gracious.
Ok, I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the directions.Set the pads somewhere outside in the shade with good ventilation. The current hot temps are fine for them. Let the cut ends scar over for a week or two. Then put your dry cactus soil in a big pot and stick the pad upright about 1/3 to 1/2 buried and leave it alone for a month. No water. Its okay if the soil is damp coming out of the bag, just don't addd any more water. After a month, water once or twice a week in the summer heat and not at all over winter when the plant is dormant. Place the pots in full hot sun.
You can also plant them the same way in the ground, which will be better as they grow. When the new pads grow, you can cut some off for tortoise food and leave some to keep growing and building your cactus stand.
My neighbor also has a purple cactus, opuntia violacea, very pretty. I'd like to try to grow it if it's ok to feed? Are there some varieties that are a no no?Ok, I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for the directions.