How long do they keep?

[PeanutbuttER]

How long do cactus pads keep? Do you need to refridgerate them?

 

[jackrat]

After de-spining them I keep them in the refridgerator(uncovered,on paper towels).I've never had any long enough for them to go bad.They keep well in the fridge.

 

[Tom]

Mine last for months. Even outside in the summer heat. When they start turning black is when you need to chuck them.

 

[sammi]

I freeze mine. Take one out when I'm ready, chop the spines off (this is easier when still frozen) and let it sit out for about 10-15 mins. They defrost super quick.

 

[PeanutbuttER]

Good to know. Thanks for all the input guys. I figured they'd have a longer shelf life than greens.

 

[tortoisenerd]

For me they keep a few weeks in the fridge when kept dry. Mine go soggy and gross before they go black. I change the paper towels every other day and cut off chunks from one end.

 

[dolfanjack]

Mine last for a week or two then they turn black and into mush. The store I buy from must ship then north by mule. now I buy one a week which is okay their close.

 

[PeanutbuttER]

Hmm, I'm surprised to see how different it is. Some people get a week and some get months. That kinda stinks. I suppose I'm just going to have to buy a couple pads next time I'm at the store and experiment to see which way they keep the longest. I hope I can get more along the line of a couple months.

 

[bettinge]

I plant them! They grow fast so I feed new growth. You can just cut off part of the pad that you need, not the whole thing. I highly recommend the spinless pads, once you use this type you will never again want the spines.

This is the guy I bought from and he shipped as he said he would. I bought 10 pounds last year and now I have a constant FREE supply!

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=186765

 

[Shelli]

I live in the tropics as you know, I have one hanging outside with fishing line (just incase ants tried to get it) and I cut the end off then cut a fresh slice for Jaba every few days,, I've had the one I have hanging outside for about 3 weeks and it's still good an juicy inside once I cut the dry part off..

 

[Tom]

Hmm, I'm surprised to see how different it is. Some people get a week and some get months. That kinda stinks. I suppose I'm just going to have to buy a couple pads next time I'm at the store and experiment to see which way they keep the longest. I hope I can get more along the line of a couple months.

Scott is right. They grow pretty fast with little or no care and they do very well in pots. I grew them in pots for many years before finally putting some in the ground.

 

[tortoisenerd]

They are so cheap at the store I go to that I wouldn't care if I threw half of a pad out (although I rarely throw any out)--like 40 cents for a small one. I will buy a pad maybe once every month or so, when I make it to a store that carries it, and because I think its more of a treat than a dietary staple (I actually don't believe in "staple" foods--I try to have one food no more than 5% of the diet). I have killed many a cactus (over watering and not watering) so I haven't had the courage to try planting it.

 

[geekinpink]

I grow mine in pots as well...

~just curious...researching for dogs (raw meat and veggie diet) before, I read that dogs cannot eat raw veggies, they cannot digest fibers so what I should do is freeze the veggie so the fibers will be broken down before I give it to them...I was just wondering @sammi - would freezing cactus pads have less nutrients when frozen? If it does not maybe I would do it too hehe