The prickly pear cactus are club-shaped, flat, spiky pads make it one of the most common cacti genera. Many have big, spherical spines, while others have tiny, hair-like barbs that break off when they come into touch with something.
Though most people associate cactus with warm-weather desert plants, several kinds of prickly pears can withstand temperatures as high as Zone 4. It is ideal for growing prickly pears outdoors in the spring once the risk of frost has subsided.
The edible fruits of certain prickly pears are highly valued, yet the plant grows rather slowly. It may take three or four years before a newly planted plant begins to bear fruit.
How To Cultivate Prickly Pear Cacti?
You can save time by purchasing rooted prickly pear cuttings or pads online. But here's what to do if you want to take cuttings from a prickly pear cactus that you have access to:
- Cut a pad of prickly pears off the top of a mature prickly pear plant at the attachment joint. Wearing thick leather gloves and using a sharp knife are recommended.
- Wait to plant the removed pad until it has hardened. This is critically important for transplant success. If you immediately plant the cactus pad, there's a good possibility it may get infected and decay.
- Rather, you should let the wound heal and become callous. One should keep the cactus pads inside for ten to fourteen days for this phase. The pad should be placed in a location with sufficient air circulation and away from direct sunlight.
- After 10 to 14 days, place the chopped end of the cactus pad in a pot or container that has been soaked with high-quality soil mix designed specifically for cacti, about 2 inches deep.
- Keep the soil damp but not soggy for the first week by placing the container in a partially shaded outdoor position that receives no more than 4-6 hours of direct sunlight.
- Once a week has passed, you can move the container to a full-sun area but do not shake the cactus pad loose from the dirt.
- The pad will plump up, and you'll notice that new pads will start forming along the top ridge after it has been rooted. Before moving the plant to its permanent location, give it time to fully establish itself in the container.
- Plant cacti seedlings in well-draining soil in a hot, direct sun location. We plant our prickly pears in our yard's warmest and driest microclimates, which are the heated pavement and driveways, as indicated in the seed starting section.
How to Cook Prickly Pear Cacti?
A prickly pear cactus has three edible parts:
- Nopal/pads: A vegetable that can be eaten raw or cooked.
- Flowers: They can be used to produce fermented flower cordials or similarly added to salads to lettuce;
- Fruit: Several names, including pear, tuna, and Indian fig, know the fruit of prickly pears. It is used in many recipes, from cocktails to sweets.
Tips To Keep In Mind When Growing Cactus
Provide Enough Light For Your Cacti
Allow cacti to bask in the heat and absorb some sun, but not too much. For your prickly plant, everything needs to be perfectly balanced. Plant cacti in the warmest, sunniest corner of your house. They will love all the attention from the sun and will flourish there.
A window facing west or south that receives a few hours of direct sunshine is ideal. Use a grow lamp to augment natural lighting in low-light situations. As cacti prefer warm, dry weather.
Give Cactus A Summer Vacation Outside
If you have a patio or yard with plenty of sunshine, your cacti would be thrilled to spend the summer outdoors. Unlike staying indoors, they will develop much more quickly outside, where they flourish. When they're outside, they shouldn't need to be watered—a little rain shower here and there should be sufficient!
Wait until the overnight lows are above 50°F before moving the plants outside. Your indoor cacti should gradually acclimate by first being placed in partially shaded areas with filtered sunlight.
As you move the plants outside, gradually increase their exposure to light to prevent scorching. Cacti need daily exposure to direct sunlight, but ensuring they don't get too much is crucial.
When summer ends, and overnight lows fall below fifty degrees, bring cacti inside again.
Never Overspray Cacti
When your cactus is thirsty, give it a decent drink and considerable pauses between treatments. Empty the saucer of any extra water after watering it since this might cause rot.
Because solar exposure changes with the seasons, the time of year also affects how often you water. In the summer, you may water as often as every 10 to 14 days, and in the winter, as infrequently as every three to four weeks. However, wait for the top layer of soil to dry completely rather than according to a predetermined timeline. Meanwhile, watch for any signs that your plant is under stress.
Your cactus needs a soak watering if you see wrinkles, especially near the base of the plant, which indicates that it is quite dry. Giving a large drink to a cactus may seem counterintuitive, but you'll be surprised at how your cactus will absorb the water and grow stronger than before.
While the care requirements of prickly pear species vary slightly, in general, prickly pears thrive best in soil that drains well and receives plenty of sunlight. Plants left in overly wet soil might quickly succumb to various types of rot. Continue exploring!