I mentioned rooting some fruit a few weeks ago, Here is a pic of one with roots and new pad growth, By rooting the fruit it doesn't over ripen, and gives them a longer shelf life, sometimes you get new plants too.
Nice. I obtained a few pads of spineless the other day and have them in the dirt trying to root them. One looks like it has taken but the other hasn't yet. I also found out snails like to eat cactus, so you have to keep an eye on your plants! Those snails ate a good portion of one pad already.