Prickly pear cactus falling over

11 years ago

So, I inherited a prickly pear from my mother-in-law. She had it as a houseplant, but with the kids, I decided it was best outside. I had it successfully planted for about a year. It has put on a lot of new growth and now I can't get it too stand up (it's about 5' tall).

I don't really love it or hate it, but I certainly can't get rid of it, because every time my mother-in-law comes over she talks about how her late husband grew it from a baby. So, it would be really bad in-law PR to get rid of it. ;)

Should I repot it? Prune it? Bury it deeper? ...oh and the falling over problem happened long before the tropical storm. So, it's not just a heavy wind thing.

Thoughts?

Becca

Comments (7)

whgille
11 years ago
Hi Becca

I have 2 kinds of prickly pear cactus, the fruit is good and one is yellow and the other red. I started them from seed and planted them on the west side. Because is protected from winds and freezes by the house it does well in this spot without any care even with all the rain and winds that we had. The soil is not amended. In Arizona I had xeriscape in my front yard and had cactus and succulents with stone as a mulch.

Silvia
FLgardenmom
Original Author
11 years ago
Hmmm, I do have a spot on the west side where I've been needing something tall. Thanks for the idea Silvia! Now to move it without turning my hands to swiss cheese!

Becca
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whgille
11 years ago
Becca, don't move it without rubber gloves! I am very experienced picking the pads with tools like giant tweezers,lol.

Silvia
FLgardenmom
Original Author
11 years ago
Only got one poke! Went right through the gloves! Lost a bunch of pads, because I had to drag it. But they grow back fast, IME. I'm pleased with the new spot. Hoping this works. Thanks again for he idea. I'll post a picture later!

Becca
ilovetogrow z9 Jax Florida
11 years ago
I have found that many of my Opuntias will lay over to keep the population going. Prickly pear grows in a patch not upright and spread by means of well laying down on the job. Have a great grow day, Paula
FLgardenmom
Original Author
11 years ago
Well, it looks kind of sad, because it's laid on the ground for a week and the top pads are "weeping." But I like where it is. I think it will look good in time. ...and if it falls over again, there it will lie and grow like that. LOL!

Becca
whgille
11 years ago
Becca

That looks good! It will make your mother-in-law happy.:)

Silvia