Growing Opuntia (Prickly Pear)

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Kayti

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Hey Tom! I planted some of the cactus you sent me in a pot, and now it's growing like a weed! It had a whole 1.5'' new pad, but then someone knocked it off at a party :( It has a bunch of other baby pads starting though.
It's almost too cool to watch growing to feed to the torts. :)
 

t_mclellan

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Kayti said:
Hey Tom! I planted some of the cactus you sent me in a pot, and now it's growing like a weed! It had a whole 1.5'' new pad, but then someone knocked it off at a party :( It has a bunch of other baby pads starting though.
It's almost too cool to watch growing to feed to the torts. :)

Glad you like it!
I just sent a box to Jacqui. We have been trying for months to find a time when it was both warm enough & she would be home, & for all of our planning she's AWAY!
A last min. thing, Ya know how that happens.

Did you plant any in the ground?
 

Jacqui

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t_mclellan said:
Glad you like it!
I just sent a box to Jacqui. We have been trying for months to find a time when it was both warm enough & she would be home, & for all of our planning she's AWAY!
A last min. thing, Ya know how that happens.

Did you plant any in the ground?

Believe me, I would have given anything NOT to have his Dr appt moved back. Not only am I not getting to get nailed by my long awaited cactus', but this waiting to see if there is any improvement on his throat or if we will be needing to see a cancer Dr, is a bit on the stressful side.
 

Kayti

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t_mclellan said:
Kayti said:
Hey Tom! I planted some of the cactus you sent me in a pot, and now it's growing like a weed! It had a whole 1.5'' new pad, but then someone knocked it off at a party :( It has a bunch of other baby pads starting though.
It's almost too cool to watch growing to feed to the torts. :)

Glad you like it!
I just sent a box to Jacqui. We have been trying for months to find a time when it was both warm enough & she would be home, & for all of our planning she's AWAY!
A last min. thing, Ya know how that happens.

Did you plant any in the ground?


I did, but then we had to move :( Our land lady turned out to be an evil scam artist scum bag. But I bet she has some lovely cactus in her yard now- I hope she pricks herself. :p
 

Gus

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Hi mclellan

Here's the upadate of my Opuntia given from friend

You will notice the smaller pad start to have flower I was shock also.

I'm giving my baby star weekly treat of opuntia because this are the opuntia at my home there's still alot more which i plant it at my office garden :p
 

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t_mclellan

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Great job Gus!
Be carfull, These things grow fast & get BIG!
I see some serious "Re-potting" in your future!

Best of luck!
Tom
 

Gus

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Look my opuntia having flower :)

quote='t_mclellan' pid='125343' dateline='1271412401']
Hi Gus;
Your Opuntia is most likely just young or from cuttings that were not from a mature plant.
I have planted some cuttings that came from large plants that were not old enough to flower. Also cuttings that were new growth on flowering mature plants.

What I have seen with mine is:
1) If the original plant is immature, The cuttings will not flower until after the original starts flowering. Sometimes as long as 2 years after.
2) If the original plant is mature & flowers, Large cuttings of old & new growth, Several pads in length, will flower the first year.
3) Single pad cuttings from a mature flowering Opuntia rarely flower in the first year.
They will most often flower the second year.

Another thing, When trimming, Do not cut off all the new growth.
Mine seem to grow better when at least 1 new pad is allowed to continue on each arm of the cactus. I only cut all new growth on an arm if I just don't want the plant growing that way.

Be patient!

I hope this helps.
[/quote]
 

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York1

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How fast should you see new growth after planting a pad? I planted a couple of pads and they seem to be rooted and solid in the ground now but I don't see any signs of new growth. On 1 pad the top 1" of the pad has turned a whitish color. What is that about?
 

DeanS

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very nice tutorial...I'm expecting a new batch this week...and am planning on planting much of it. So this seems most helpful. What about soil...does it matter (I guess not as long as the drainage is good, right?)
 

Gus

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My take abt 3wks and new growth can be seen...

York1 said:
How fast should you see new growth after planting a pad? I planted a couple of pads and they seem to be rooted and solid in the ground now but I don't see any signs of new growth. On 1 pad the top 1" of the pad has turned a whitish color. What is that about?


I water them every morning 6am through the day the plant is full of sun shine


DeanS said:
very nice tutorial...I'm expecting a new batch this week...and am planning on planting much of it. So this seems most helpful. What about soil...does it matter (I guess not as long as the drainage is good, right?)
 

t_mclellan

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DeanS said:
very nice tutorial...I'm expecting a new batch this week...and am planning on planting much of it. So this seems most helpful. What about soil...does it matter (I guess not as long as the drainage is good, right?)

You are correct. From what I have seen, The soil is far less important than the drainage. Some types need more drainage & water than others.

I grow 4 different types of Opuntia.

1) Purple Opuntia (Opuntia santa rita). This type dose very well here in So. Fl.
BUT needs very good drainage. The rain & humidity don't seem to bother it at all. Just don't let it sit in water.

2) Spineless Opuntia (Opuntia ficus indica). I grow 2 types of this.
1 type Loves So. Fl.! Rain & humidity or dry not a problem. But again it needs drainage!
The second type was sent to me from Az.
I received a dozen or so pads & the first year they all died but 1.
This type is also Opuntia ficus indica. But it hates rain & humidity.
I have it (now) in a place that recieves no rain but it is outside & the humidity is what it is. This is the 3rd year after planting & the growing season has just started for this guy & there is 1 new pad from last year.

The other type I am still trying to ID.
I'll post photos when I get home this after-noon.

Take care.
Tom McL.
 

t_mclellan

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Here are some photo's of the unknown type of Opuntia.

Unknown2.jpg


Unknown1.jpg


100_2214.jpg


If this is indeed indica, It is another oddball.
 

Gus

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This is the type I'm growing it for my star

t_mclellan said:
Here are some photo's of the unknown type of Opuntia.

Unknown2.jpg


Unknown1.jpg


100_2214.jpg


If this is indeed indica, It is another oddball.
 

Jacqui

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Tom, what happens when I kill them all? :rolleyes: I did get them all planted (wow there were a bunch!), but since then the weather here has been cold and wet. We even had one night in the 30s (duh, don't even ask, of course I moved them in... almost broke my back. :p). However most nights have stayed in the low to mid 40s and days haven't been much above the 50s at best. May be I should of had you send them in July?
 

t_mclellan

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Jacqui said:
Tom, what happens when I kill them all? :rolleyes: I did get them all planted (wow there were a bunch!), but since then the weather here has been cold and wet. We even had one night in the 30s (duh, don't even ask, of course I moved them in... almost broke my back. :p). However most nights have stayed in the low to mid 40s and days haven't been much above the 50s at best. May be I should of had you send them in July?

I was thinking they were still on the porch, in the BOX!
I think they will be OK. weather here didn't get over 40 during the day for 2 months this winter & the pile of cuttings laying on the ground were just fine.
Although IF you do manage to kill them all, Let me know.
I might be able to find 1 or 2 (hundred) more to send you.

Let me know.

Tom McL.
 

Jacqui

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t_mclellan said:
I was thinking they were still on the porch, in the BOX!

Tom McL.

:p Hey, I didn't even go into the house, before I opened my box.:D I had them planted within a day.
 
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