It depends on the type of cactus that you are working with and how long you are going to store it. Most pads will stay fresh if they are laid flat and not touching each other in a cool shaded area for a very long time. I did a test years ago and stacked some pads on top of each other separated by newspaper and they lasted for a couple months. What I grow is different than what you have been growing. Mine are all cold tolerant well below freezing so I have no problem with storage. Here's an example. Years ago in late October I stopped at BBT bank that had cactus growing out front and asked if I could have a few pads. I brought 3 pads home like this one
knowing that it was to late to plant. I just laid them on the ground and left them alone all winter. Planted them the next spring and have done great since.
It took me a while to figure out the best way to save and store all the ripe fruits from all the different types of cactus I have for winter feeding. I used to just break them off the pads using hotdog tongs nilly willy. By doing it that way many would tear off the pad breaking the pad at the base. Which is why they wouldn't last as long as I wanted them to. Now I remove them more carefully and if need be I'll cut it off using a sharp knife saving the integrity of the pad. I just store the fruit in nursery pots and they last until they are all fed off. I usually get around 1000 or more from all the plants.
