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Florida Gardening

Source for Prickly Pear Cactus?

16 years ago

One of my coworkers got a Sulcata (African Spur Tortoise) for Christmas. I'm helping her get plants she can grow for it to eat. Already gave her Figs and Mulberries, but am looking for Prickly Pear Cacti. Can anyone share a piece of one, or has anyone seen them for sale in PB County? Thornless would be best, if possible (I *think* there is a thornless one).

I know they grow wild in J.D State Park, but don't want to be arrested for snipping some(G).

Does anyone know if they can eat Moringa? It seems ideal to me, but I can't find it on the list of foods for them.

Lisa

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Comments (4)

treefrog_fl
16 years ago
I've got one for you Lisa.
I would think they could eat moringa. All parts are excellent for humans.
I just picked some huge dry seed pods the other day.
gcmastiffs
Original Author
16 years ago
Awesome, Treefrog, thank you!

My spindly, uncared for, potted Moringas are in bloom now. I'm impressed with how tough these plants are.

What are you doing with the pods? Have you eaten Moringa yet?

I'll call you in a few days to arrange pickup of the Cacti.

Do you need any Papayas?

Lisa
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Hi there. I don't think it's ever too late in the year to root prickly pear cactus.I vacationed in florida last year, and when I was there, a neighbor trimmed his prickly pear. I took a few pads. I brought them home (Maine). let them dry on a shelf for a few weeks and potted them both in one pot. I was hoping one of them would root. It was February and last winter was brutal. Long story short, they both rooted, they have been transplanted into separate pots, and one has produced a second pad. They have spent the entire summer on my porch and love it. They are the easiest things to propagate and grow. :) Here is a link that might be useful:
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I know Kansas well. I'm really from Oklahoma, I just happen to live in Raleigh NC at the moment. I've spoken to a guy in California that sent away for opuntia pads from the research station in Bolivia and they sent him some. I'm not sure what sort of credentials he needed but I believe he just explained what he was interested in and they sent him what they had that fit his criteria. There are US Dept of Ag research stations that will send private gardeners plants - you just have to wait a while. They are set up to provide samples to Universities and researchers but if they have material available they will share with the general public. I have had no problem growing prickly pear from seed. With a greenhouse you can keep them growing all year and get sizable plants in a couple of years. You might also just test out different growing methods to see if anything will affect fruit production and quality. I have a completely thornless Opuntia in my garden that seems hardier than most but it rarely blooms or fruits - but that would be another direction to explore. I just got back from Mexico, where I ate grilled cactus pads often. Once the weather warms up and the young pads start to fill out I plan on testing out that technique at home.
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Rick, I only got the yellow kind. I got one red flowered one that is only one pad and have to wait for it to grow. I got it from Miles to Go for only $5 each. Stush
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This may sound negative - but pls. consider all remarks (they may or may not apply to your situation): No need for humidifier for succulents, it actually is not better. They come from arid areas, and humidity is often causing fungal problems. You suggested drafty windows, now you saying they are "nicely insulated" - I was commenting on what you said originally. Most succulents will overwinter well in much lower temps, as low as 45-48*F or so. You don't have to, but need to adjust other growing conditions accordingly. Typical moisture meters are not very reliable, but maybe you have new one that still works well, or better quality one. I find much more reliable way of checking for moisture using bamboo skewer, chopstick or even pencil. Some ppl water successfully from bottom, if using fast draining mix. Very often, typical C&S soil is full of peat and doesn't dry well enough. If that is the case, watering from bottom is worse because it keeps soil too wet for too long. Ppl using C&S soil usually add lot more sifted perlite to it - easily 50% or even more - and that works better. I find it much better using inorganic potting mix (no soil). 10" pot sound huge to me - but that all depends on size of plant and I have no idea about yours. Clay 10" pot is usually quite deep. Big, deep pots hold lots of soil and if it doesn't drain fast, it could be problem. I am assuming it has drainage hole. I am not sure what is wrong with your plant, but it looks like either drying (how close is it to grow light? Was it put under it suddenly - is there any chance it may have burned?), or having fungal problems. I would definitely improve potting mix and keep it in room with no humidifier to begin with.
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treefrog_fl
16 years ago
The prickly pear is the large padded spineless one. It's a collection of pads that broke off some bigger ones last year, stuck in a 3 gallon pot. It's been neglected and forgotten way out back, but they're all rooted well and growing. Can't kill them.

I have eaten moringa leaves, flowers and green tips. Quickly sauteed/steamed with a bit of garlic and oil. Tastse a lot like broccoli raab to me. Very nice.
Mine's blooming now too.
Unfortunately I forgot to pick the "drumsticks" when they were green, so I missed out on trying those this year.
But I've got a bunch of seeds now! Need any? Anyone?
I'll plant a few for trade parties, and probably plant another one or two here. Gonna try to keep them trimmed and bushy, since they do like to grow tall and loose.

I'd love to try one of your good papayas. Been eating a lot of them lately myself. Audrey's got lots and I've got lots of the small red fruited Hawaiian variety. I'll trade ya.

Yesterday I made a bunch of carambola jelly! It turned out perfectly! Golden, clear and delicious. Had to do something with so many ripe at once. Even with 4 neighborhood kids coming by daily for a few each, we couldn't keep up.
I wonder if the tortoise would like some?
And you too of course.
jimshea
16 years ago
does anybody know how/where i can buy thornless prickly pear "pads" or plants?

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