Damaged Prickly Pear Help
greenish_thumb
9 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (9)
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
9 years agogreenish_thumb
9 years agoRelated Discussions
help really needed for a prickly pear
Comments (1)It sounds like it gets to little light. If it gets too much heat in the winter it might grow like this to. /David...See MoreHelp! Santa Rita Purple Prickly Pear toppled over
Comments (3)I'd prune the pads and root them as new plants - this would reduce the weight on the main stem, giving it time to develop a strong root system which will then have the proper foundation to support said growth. Perhaps in Nature they naturally topple over, but this itself is a regeneration technique, as the pads that fall off generally turn into new plants. Let the cut surface heal then insert halfway into the soil. Give them a splash of water in a week or two - I'd expect you'll see growth in a month or so. Rocks are always a recommended means of support - I've used them for years and cannot recommend them highly enough....See MoreTips for a Prickly Pear's 1st winter outdoors?
Comments (23)I have no idea about Montana. What is your gardening zone?! How cold have you already gotten? Also, there are many species of Prickly Pads. The ones that are sold in the East are Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear); but lots of species of Opuntia are not cold hardy. Keep in mind, O. humifusa looks completely different in the Winter! They normally shrivel up and lose the rich green color. They ain't dead! It's just that when it gets really cold, the plants move water out the leaf pads, as soon as Spring returns, the pads rehydrate and turn green again. O. humifusa is native to the East Coast from Florida up to Cape Cod (up to approximately Zone 7a). So, they are unusual among cacti for cold tolerance AND WET tolerance, the combination of which is FATAL to most all cacti. Mine have regularly been under mounds of snow and always return. I would think that a Montana winter would offer some advantage as you are soooo much drier in mid Winter, and it's soooo WET here even in mid Winter. I would think that a snow cover would offer protection if the winters go below 0 F. You could take cuttings, I have a bunch on the surface of some palms that I overwinter in the garage, but they are perfectly cold and freeze hardy to at least 0 F....See MorePlease help me find thornless prickly pear cactus
Comments (7)"Thornless prickly pear" is not a specific species, but a general condition that applies to a few different species in the genus Opuntia. I assume that you're not looking for the Mexican Opuntia ficus-indica which is the one most commonly associated with being nearly thornless (but is too tender for your location). You probably want Opuntia ellisiana which is available in your area at Thyme After Thyme in Winterville. Luther Burbank did a great deal of experimenting with these thornless opuntia and probably produced the only hybrids that are genuinely thornless. I don't know if any of these are still around or not....See Morewantonamara Z8 CenTex
9 years agogreenish_thumb
9 years agowolfling
9 years agowantonamara Z8 CenTex
9 years agogreenish_thumb
9 years agowantonamara Z8 CenTex
9 years agolast modified: 9 years ago
Related Stories
GARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Santa Rita Prickly Pear for Purple Appeal
Distinctive colored pads and yellow flowers make this cactus a favorite in Southwestern gardens
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESGreat Design Plant: Beavertail Prickly Pear Wows With Color
The dazzling magenta flowers of this cactus will snag your heart — just beware the bristles that can stick in your skin
Full StoryWINTER GARDENINGHow to Help Your Trees Weather a Storm
Seeing trees safely through winter storms means choosing the right species, siting them carefully and paying attention during the tempests
Full StorySTANDARD MEASUREMENTSThe Right Dimensions for Your Porch
Depth, width, proportion and detailing all contribute to the comfort and functionality of this transitional space
Full StoryLANDSCAPE DESIGNHow to Help Your Home Fit Into the Landscape
Use color, texture and shape to create a smooth transition from home to garden
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDESHow to Spot a Drought-Tolerant Plant
Label? Who needs a label? Learn the characteristics of plants that can thrive in hot, dry conditions to help you pick the right ones
Full StoryGARDENING GUIDES6 Steps to Creating Your Butterfly Garden
Encourage these fanciful winged beauties to visit your garden while helping restore their fragmented habitat
Full StoryEDIBLE GARDENSNatural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden
Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil
Full StoryHOUSEPLANTSHow to Create an Indoor Landscape
Apply principles and elements of design to help your indoor garden flourish
Full StoryENTERTAININGSimple Pleasures: The Reimagined Potluck
Party guests can bring more to the table than just the food. Enlisting help with setup, decorations and drinks spreads the work and the fun
Full StorySponsored
wantonamara Z8 CenTex