Non Food Opuntia

[Len B]

I got this from Andy at ATC a few years ago. I like the way it gets long spines on the new growth and then over time it drops them. For some reason it reminds me of a lion fish. I now have 3 plants, but not sure how it handles moisture and cold together at the same time, it can handle very cold temps when dry. This winter I will leave one of the plants in a pot and out in the elements off the ground to see how it fares. Anybody grow this type in the ground year round?

 

[Yvonne G]

I think that is Opuntia macrocentra. It's native to SE Arizona and W Texas. I have a similar plant - Opuntia Santa Rita - and it lives in the ground out in the open. It has survived about 15 years here in all kinds of weather.