Cactus

[temper13]

I have Sulcata(Rocky) and I am wondering if there is any type of live cactus that Rocky can eat without taking off the thorns or are the thorns OK? If you have to take off thorns what is the easiest way?

 

[Greg T]

There are many varieties of cacti that are good to feed. Prickly Pear pads and flowers are a great food, but you definitely do not want any thorns. You can either grow the thornless variety or buy the pads already de-thorned. I've found the pads (napoles) in grocery stores like Krogers and even Wal-Mart before. Buy several when you find them because they keep a while and Rocky will love them.

 

[Josh]

if you have a thorned plant you can burn off the thorns on the stove.

 

[janiedough]

i lay the flat "leaves" of the pricky pear cactus on its side and scrape a knife across it - but this also makes it rot faster in the fridge so maybe only scrape as you go?

 

[DAC8671]

I've pulled the spines out with tweezers.

 

[Josh]

i believe opuntia stricta is a spineless variety if you can find seeds or a plant store that sells that specific variety...