I'm posting this just for information to let people know that there are many types of opuntia that can survive cold wet winters. I grow these spine-less types east of Washington DC. I don't know their names but they survive here planted in the ground or in pots without any type of protection over winter. I also grow several with long spines that the new growth don't start getting spines until the pads are 8 inches or larger in length, which I'm feeding now.Here is one group of the cactus with spinesThe best part is I accumulated these by stopping and asking if I could have some pads or from people that wanted plants moved off their property.