Planting Cactus

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StudentoftheReptile

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Recently, I noticed that one of my neighbors had a sizable patch of a cactus growing in their front yard. Pretty sure it's opuntia, since the spines are practically non-existent. Anyway, my wife and I spoke with him one day and he was more than happy to allow me to prune a section off for my own use.

I haven't done it yet, but plan to soon. What is the best time of year to plant opuntia? Also, what's the best place in the yard, etc? Anything else I would need to know. The soil in my yard is rather clay-based; is this going to be an issue? Not really much of a hortoculturalist, but I figured "Hey, free cactus!" and when my neighbor actually told me to take enough to plant in my own yard, I guess its worth looking into.
 

dmarcus

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Most cactus will do well in any type of soil, as long as you have good drainage...
 

Missy

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Where do you live. Cactus is super easy to grow, just cut off a pad and let it lay on the counter for several days then stick it in the ground. Sounds like it may be a thornless kind, lucky you. If it's growing good in your neighbors soil then I would say it will in yours as well.
 

DeanS

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You should have know problem...just make sure that when you cut the cactus...you let it sit out until the cut callouses. Don't water it until it's been in the ground for about two weeks. NO MOIST SOIL! And they don't really need full sun...4-6 hours a day is fine! Also, just because it's spineless, doesn't guarantee opuntia! Why don't you post a photo here and we'll let you know if it's opuntia or not!
 

Tom

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Here's my recipe: Cut off a pad from the parent plant and set it some where dry for at least two weeks. Then find a dry part of the yard that gets good sun, and stick the pad about 1/3 to 1/2 in the ground vertically, with the scarred over cut end down. Then walk away and forget about it for at least a month. No water or it will rot. I then water mine once or twice a week during our blazing hot, dry summers. I don't water at all from around November until May or June.
 

redbeef

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if you have a slope in your yard, planting it at the top of the slope will increase drainage. you could also grow it in large pots if it seems your soil is too moist.
 

dmmj

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good drainage and infrequent watering, most cacti is killed because of over watering.
 

Crazy1

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Tom and I use the same recipe. I also live in So. Calif. Also as far as where to plant; Pick a place that you won't forget and bend over or back into it. Even the spineless ones have some small, oh so small, thorns and can be rather irritating to you (won't bother your tort) if you get them in your clothes or body parts. :p I have them in the ground and in pots as well. when they get bigger but tender pads, you can actually cut shapes out of them with cookie cutters. Just hold a cutting board against the pad and push hard. The cut will seal and you'll have fun looking art in your yard. this works great if you have small torts that can't consume a full pad in a few feedings.
 

StudentoftheReptile

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Well, I finally got around to getting me some of said cactus. After some brief googling, it does appear to some form of opuntia. Has a few long smooth spines that are removed with a little tugging. Also has tiny, numerous, "soft" spines that are annoying.

Cut some pieces and it seems to be a hit with the sulcata. So if I can get it growing in my own yard, awesome!

Question: once I cut up a pad, how long/well does it keep before going bad? I just sliced the rest of one pad and put it in a tupperware.
 

CT Grim

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Ditto on what Tom and dmmj said.
Opuntia doesn't really go bad, it just dries out. If you can, amend your clay with sand or perlite...the more, the better! Cacti hate wet feet. I start my pads in sand alone. Be sure the cut has dried, then water once a week when it warms up. The more sun they get, the faster and healthier they will grow. The torts don't mind the spines, but I scrape 'em off anyway. figured i wouldn't want those going through my gut either...
The great thing about prickly pears are that they respond great to pruning. for each pad you cut off, 2 or more sprout! :)
 

Len B

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All Opuntia are not created equal,some can take moist soil in cold weather and some can't, The way it is planted depends on the type of cactus, location, and time of year. The way I do it here is different than the way it is done in other parts of the world.most opuntias have a rest period during winter and don't do much but just sit there,so it doesn't do me any good to plant outside after the middle of October, I plant in pots and carry in and out on good sunny days or use good plant lights inside and then put in the ground in spring after rooting. Like~ Mary Anne~ said if it grows there it should do fine, so try to mimic the way your neighbor has it planted and let it grow.Good Luck, Len
 
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