Here are pics of some of the opuntia I grow planted in the ground all year a little southeast of Wash DC. in Virginia. All but 2 of these are used for the tortoises at different times of the year. I feel that there is an opuntia that can be grown just about anywhere in the US and parts of Canada. I have more, but they have been in pots or taken inside during winter, some of those are going to spend this winter planted in the ground to see how they fare with the cold and wet. That is how I find out which ones will grow here and not turn to mush. Some of these pics are of plants in pots but I also have that type in the ground. I can post pics of some of the potted plants later if someone in a slightly warmer climate would want to see them and maybe give them a try. I put a tape measure on one of these to show how big some of the pads can get, and the weeds are something I don't worry about this time of year, they make it easier to keep the soil moist so the plants produce more new growth for late fall rarly winter feeding from the plants that have some bigger spines, (the new growth seldom has spines) I leave the fruit on until it is to be fed.
