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Cacti & Succulents

opuntia pads haven't done anything yet

15 years ago

I was able to procure a few opuntia pads through freecycle, and I planted them in the soil, a few inches deep with most of the pad exposed. This was in June or July, I believe.

I know the species is able to live outside in this area, because they were taken from, basically, a wild specimen. I would guess it's o. humifusa.

It didn't grow any new pads this year. However, the pads themselves don't look bad- their not rotten or browned. Their a bit wrinkled at this point, but that's to be expected at this time of the year.

Do you think they're still viable?

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Comments (9)

joscience
15 years ago
If they aren't obviously rotten, I'd wait a year before calling them dead. In your zone they probably are waiting for some good spring warmth to put on new growth.
pasimachus
15 years ago
Yes, I would just wait. If a succulent is not growing and is looking exactly the same, it's probably fine and just waiting. Your plants may only put out one round of pads per year when they get going, so they might not have gotten started yet.
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ltecato
15 years ago
I had a couple opuntias recently that were acting like that. I just had to wait. In one case, I gave the plant Superthrive, and it started growing within a couple of weeks. Before that, I was sure it was cursed.
norma_2006
15 years ago
They may need a hot summer to get them start up. Resist the temptations to water. Let the rain take care of it. I have always said the way to kill them is to overwater them.
Norma
birdsnblooms
15 years ago
Blut, your pads are rooting outside? I've never tried rooting Opuntia outdoors, but started a few in pots..
The first 6 months, two pads didn't do anything, but looked fine..no rot and firm. I added Superthrive and a few weeks later a baby pad started growing from one of the pads..I thought the baby-less pad was dead, but a wk or so later, it too put out a baby.

The only thing I'd have done different is, even though the opuntia is hardy, living in z6, I'd have rooted in the house..After roots formed, possibly the second year, weather permitting, planted in the garden.
Good luck..as long as the pads look healthy, and feel firm, they're alive..Toni
deep___roots
15 years ago
Collected my pad last January. Took 9 months for it to puff up and for new growth to pop out of the pad. Patience, my son.
argentcorvid
15 years ago
I agree with deep_roots, mine took 4 months to puff up and start a new pad. (it had been setting in the produce area of the local grocery store for an unknown amount of time before that!)
blutarski
Original Author
15 years ago
wow, that's fresh food! I'll have to check some of the Mexican grocery stores, maybe they have some nopales pads.
jimhardy
15 years ago
It passed its window to grow new shoots in june/july and instead was focusing on root growth,should spring to life april/may and be growing well by june,no worries.

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