Wanted prickly pear

[Barrysulcata]

can any one give me any ideas were I can get prickly pear at tidy prices as it's harder for us in uk

 

[BrianWI]

Ebay

 

[Barrysulcata]

Yeh ain't cheap I brought my last pad of there and it worked out for 3/4 pad £12 and that was a supplier in uk
If we get it from abroad the pad is cheap but postage if expensive

 

[JoesMum]

I grow my own. I bought robust spineless (Opuntia robusta, Opuntia engelmannii tardospina f. inerme) pads online a few years ago to grow in pots.

It's a slow harvest and to be honest there is plenty of good food you can feed your tort without bothering with cactus pads. They're not essential. You see them a lot on here because those in the USA can get them easily. Joe doesn't even seem that keen on them.

 

[Barrysulcata]

Hi joesmum
It's just I brought the one pad and I feel a bit guilty cause I've never seen him eat something so quick he loved it
Can you forward any information how easy and best place to put them to grow and if I get pad how easy to grow ?. Thanks

 

[JoesMum]

I can't remember where I got mine from. I just googled opuntia. I grow in Cactus compost in our conservatory.

Don't feel guilty about not feeding it. They love strawberries but shouldn't have those at all. Your tort is very unlikely to be missing the opuntia. They just enjoy an opportunity if they get it and then move on to the next tasty morsel. Joe is in a clover phase at the moment. He spends most of the day grazing it.

 

[Barrysulcata]

Barry's is dandelions with roots as well he loves them
Yes I grow strawberry he as the odd one now and again
☺️

 

[Tom]

You see them a lot on here because those in the USA can get them easily.

This is true. They are very prolific and easy to grow in the Southern US. I just filled 3 five gallon buckets with pads today. Didn't even make a dent…

I have about 40 cactus stands going. They produce a lot of tortoise food for me annually, especially in spring and summer. Wish I knew how to ship them across the pond in an efficient way.

Good luck to you all over there!

 

[Barrysulcata]

I also give him a piece of watermelon and peppers as a treat once a week
Other wise it's wild flowers grass and dandelions

 

[Barrysulcata]

Wow Tom
Wish we could sort a way to purchase some from you and get them sent over

 

[Gregor]

http://cactusshop.co.uk/index.php?id_category=258&controller=category

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

This is true. They are very prolific and easy to grow in the Southern US. I just filled 3 five gallon buckets with pads today. Didn't even make a dent…

I have about 40 cactus stands going. They produce a lot of tortoise food for me annually, especially in spring and summer. Wish I knew how to ship them across the pond in an efficient way.

Good luck to you all over there!

This part of across the pond is not a problem.
They use them as hedges here, so always easy to nick a bit.
If you want to buy the fruit in season (now) it's about 3 of your American cents each.

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Are there any ethnic groceries in the U K.?
Any stores that cater to mostly Hispanic customers would very likely carry them.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Are there any ethnic groceries in the U K.?
Any stores that cater to mostly Hispanic customers would very likely carry them.

We have Polish and Indian, but Spanish? Not really.
No prickly pears in the shops. (well very rare)

 

[Barrysulcata]

Nah not here in Wales uk

 

[Gregor]

see my link above

 

[Barrysulcata]

Hi Gregor
Yes big thankyou I've just ordered £50 worth
Thanks tim

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Maybe I'll start up a cactus export business after I retire.
Sorry, overseas folks.